//------------------------------// // 103 - The Tempest and the Inferno: The Swarm // Story: An Extended Holiday // by Commander_Pensword //------------------------------// Extended Holiday Chapter 103: The Tempest and the Inferno: The Swarm Act 16 Pensword opened his eyes to find himself standing in the Canterlot Royal Gardens. He quickly took stock of the surroundings. There was Celestia and Cadence with Moon River. Cosy was nowhere to be seen, and night had fallen, but he couldn’t see Luna anywhere. “Princess Celestia,” he began. “Is there a problem? Where are Princess Twilight and Princess Luna?” He was doing his best not to melt into a puddle and roll around in the grass at the sensation of life and energy returning to him. His muscles felt so vibrant, his chest so free. He could breathe, he could run, he could fly! But discipline had to come first. He was Commander Pensword first and foremost. Grif, on the other hand, cooed with delight as the winds swirled around him. Much like with Pensword, the rush of energy and power running through his body was euphoric. It devoured the fatigue that had been building, and it destroyed the pains in his chest instantly. He flapped his wings, enjoying the feeling of power and well-being as it washed over him while he took to the air. A flash of light came, followed by a relieved groan escaping Hammer Strike’s mouth as he stretched. Flames licked off his coat and mane as he smiled in utter bliss. “That’s the kinda feeling you get addicted to.” He sighed happily. His internal injuries felt absolutely fine. In fact, he hadn’t felt this good in a long time. “So what's up, Celestia?” Grif asked as he landed. “You look tense.” Celestia looked grimly on them. “You’re not going to like what I have to say.” Hammer Strike’s smile turned to a frown as he turned towards her. “What’s the problem?” “We just received word that New Unity is under attack. I’m afraid Chrysalis and her Changelings have returned to seek your demise yet again. And to top it all off, Shrial just went into labor.” There was a shockwave as Grif took off with no warning, no signal. He was simply there, and then he wasn’t as he shot into the air towards New Unity like a cannonball. “I assume you two would prefer teleportation?” Celestia asked. “As soon as poss–” Hammer Strike was cut off as a gaping hole of light opened in the air above them briefly, followed by a loud crash and the sound of a single bush rustling in pain and frustration as the hole sealed shut. “Ow. . . .” Conor groaned as he struggled with the plantlife, his pearl glowing dully beside him. Hammer Strike exhaled in frustration. “Oh, we’re so going to talk later,” he spoke softly, before looking to Celestia once again. “We don’t have time for conversation. Keep him here, and teleport Pensword, Lunar Fang, and myself now.” “Luna will be teleporting you. She plans on joining you on the battlefield.” As the conversation progressed, Pensword and Lunar Fang quickly removed the contents of their carts to get their armor and prepare for battle. “Understood,” Pensword said as he donned his wing blades. “We’ll be dressed and ready ASAP.” Lunar Fang already had her chest plate on as the pair worked with each other to arm themselves. “Fine then. They will go with Luna. But right now, Celestia, teleport me,” Hammer Strike pressed. The frustration was clearly evident in his tone. Celestia nodded her head as her horn glowed, and weaved its magic around Hammer Strike, before he winked out in the teleport field. Pensword looked to Celestia. “You will get a full report after the battle is over; however, I will be also be asking for access to troops to march into the badlands. This is number two in less than a year. Number three, if you counter the Canterlot wedding. This is war, and we have to march against her.” “We will talk when the battle is over, Pensword,” Celestia promised. She walked over to her rather abused rose bush, using her magic to lift the dazed human out of the thorns’ reach. “Again with the rose bush. Why does it always have to be the rose bush?” she sighed. Hammer Strike arrived in his personal armory, and rather than picking out a single weapon, he began loading up, placing them into the storage of his coat. After he was finished, he pushed out of the room, greatsword on his back as he made his way out of the building. The four Changelings he’d adopted into his troops all dropped from the walls around him in astonishment. “You came so fast, Lord Strike.” “Teleportation,” he said flatly. “Now onto important matters. How’s the situation looking so far?” “The Ponies rallied in time. We felt the presence of the queen’s hive before it could fully effect it’s surprise, and we warned your hive in turn. She has launched many charges, but so far the boulder tossers and the pointed stick throwers have been successful. Still, they are many, and we are not.” “What they have in number, we have in experience. New Unity will not fall, especially by Chrysalis’ hooves,” Hammer practically growled out. “We will fight until the last, Lord Strike,” another Changeling spoke. “This hive will stand.” Hammer Strike pushed open the main doors of his castle, and stormed into the courtyard to witness the siege teams working as fast as they could as the trebuchets’ massive counterweights were pulled down into position. Large tar-covered boulders were loaded by groups of Unicorns, and lit on fire, before the crews cleared away, and the boulders were released into the air. The entire fortress was covered in a large dome of transparent teal energy. Clover sat dead center in the courtyard, concentrating hard as her horn glowed cherry red beneath her aura. “My lord!” Several ponies rushed Hammer Strike at once, including the two Shield brothers. “Thank Sleipnir you made it in time!” Blast Shield said. “Status report,” Hammer Strike ordered. “We’ve placed the civilians in the fortress citadel, collected up all the supplies, and we’ve done our best to seal the entrances, but a few stragglers managed to find weaknesses. We’ve lost seventeen recruits so far to surprises. The trebuchets are punching holes in their formations, but it seems more like antholes in a writhing mass, Sir. There are thousands of them. The Bladefeathers have been harassing them from their compound, but they’ve had to retreat quickly to avoid being overwhelmed. The archers are running out of arrows, the slingers are prepared to go out, but we’ll be out of javelins before the day is done. There are so many, Sir,” Tower Shield reported. “I believe it’s time to pull out the real ammunition,” Hammer Strike replied. “I’m giving clearance to take weapons from the restricted section of the armory.” “Yes, Sir.” Blast Shield nodded, and took off to see to it. “Are you not donning your armor?” “It’ll only get in the way,” Hammer Strike replied as the flames licking off him grew in intensity. “Shall I continue to command the defenses then, Sir?” Tower asked as he eyed the flames. “Yes. Meanwhile . . . you four–” He turned his attention to the Changelings once more. “–will remain in here to help point out infiltrators, understood?” “Yes, Lord Strike. We shall drain any who would dare sneak into your hive.” They all nodded in unison. “Now, while you all get to work, I’m going out there. I’ve got some work to do,” he finished with a growl. ‘Sir.” Tower shield bowed his head, then left to resume command. Meanwhile, at the portcullis, one of the Earth Pony guards stood beside the gatehouse, arguing with a familiar minotaur. “There are thousands of Changelings out there. You can’t go out to fight alone!” the guard growled at the Minotaur. “Big Guns isn’t going alone,” Big Guns said as he pointed to his war hammer. It glowed an angry red. “Changelings attack our home, our herd. We don’t like that, and those puny bugs need to learn some respect.” He snorted and smacked his fists together, and his root-like mane writhed. “You’ll be massacred in less than a minute,” the Earth Pony said. He would have continued, but he saw Hammer Strike approaching. Hammer Strike said nothing as he passed the two and grabbed ahold of the metal frame, lifted it above his head, and walked under it, letting the weight slam back into the earth behind him. A dull red glow on the metal marked where his hoof had touched. For a moment there was silence between the two as they watched the metal cool. Finally, the Earth Pony turned back to Big Guns. “As I was saying, we’re not going to let you go and get yourself killed. With the way things are going, we’re going to have to start probing the field soon. If you're that desperate, you can get on the first group out the gate.” “Fine,” Big Guns harrumphed. “But you’d better keep that promise, because Big Guns is waiting right here.” “Yes, I’m sure you will be.” The Earth Pony sighed, knowing they’d be having this argument again in ten minutes. They’d had it six times already. Grif was forced to land to duck a hail of spells just outside the Everfree Forest boundary. An almost solid mass of black chitin not only spread on the ground, but swarmed in the air as well. He could see their attempts to attack New Unity under its shield, as well as the bodies lining the Bladefeather compound perimeter. Several Gryphons were mixed amongst the black chitinous forms littering the ground. Grif attempted to measure his weapons, cursing his carelessness for being so badly armed for battle. He had two stilettos, a few throwing knives, and his bow, none of which would be useful in sustained close quarter combat. Fear, rage, and desperation warred within him as he heard Shrial’s cries on the wind. They were faint, but to his ears, that sound blared above the harshest din of the battle. The black gale within clawed to get out, promising him vengeance, promising it would get him there, and carve the enemy in the process. Grif did his best to repel that voice, but he knew even with his speed, even with the magic he had learned, without his weapons, there would be no way he could get to his family in time. In a last attempt to ward off the encroaching despair and dark, Grif sank to the ground, lowered his beak, and did something he had not done in a considerable time. “Oh great Winds, hear your Avatar. I know my failings are many to you, and my victories few, but please guide me, show me the path. In the name of love, rage, wisdom and contest, give me my future. Tear it from destiny’s claws, and show me how I may shape it.” He continued the prayer four times, as was tradition, hoping against hope for a miracle. Of course, the Winds did not send miracles… In the Bladefeather compound’s meeting room, where the round table sat empty and forgotten, waiting for some unforeseen occupants, a low humming began to sound. The room lit up as tendrils of white energy crawled up the legs and across the surface. At every section of the table, a light blazed, and a symbol came into existence. Sometimes it was a Gryphon, or a Lion. Where Vengeance sat, a fleur de lis glowed, and when the light reached Vigilance, a beautiful white chalice shone above it. The light slowly flowed around the table, and when it finally came to the table’s topmost spot, a large red dragon in flight appeared. The table thrummed with power. In Canterlot, Celestia had been discussing with her nobles to find support for New Unity’s defense with Conor at her side, when her head shot up, and her pupils dilated. She looked towards the origin of the pulse. “Llamrei?” Back in the Bladefeather compound, the seats at Vigilance and Vegeance’s spots slid back of their own accord, and the swords began to rise. As the chairs finished backing away from the table, two figures began to appear. A white Pegasus with a long, shining blond mane materialized in front of Vengeance. He said nothing as he gripped the sword's hilt in his teeth. He looked towards Vigilance, where another similar Pegasus gripped the twin sword’s hilt. He was shorter, smaller, and younger than his companion by many years, but his eyes shone more incandescently, as if someone like no other now stood there. The two Pegasi nodded to one another, then took to the air, the blades still in their mouths as they phased through the roof, taking the swords with them. Grif stood with his final hope flickering as he prepared to embrace the dark gale. He could feel the black wind crawling up his body, just as it was crawling into his mind. But as he was about to give in, to let that power have free rein, he saw them, two translucent white Pegasi soaring across the field, and through the Changelings like they were nothing but a puff of air. A sword hung in either one’s mouth. Grif nearly fell back when they landed before him. In unison, they approached, and wordlessly dug the blades into the ground before him. “Become not the Black Knight,” echoed through his mind as the Pegasus with the fleur de lis cutie mark bowed his head. “You will not forgive yourself.” “Trust you have the strength to win the day.” The other Pegasus with the chalice mark repeated the action. “Trust the strength of your own arm.” “Now rise, knight. Rise, and find victory.” The voices mingled as the figures vanished. With a reverent hesitance, Grif grasped the blades, and drew them from the earth. They thrummed with power, and he felt the black gale battered by the sudden rush as it was forced back deep into his mind with a keening wail. Whether it proved to be real, or merely a manifestation of his baser instincts being overcome, he did not know, but it didn’t matter anyways. He knew what he had to do. He knew where he had to be. And now he had the means to get there. The clang of battle began to sound different to him. The rhythm transformed into something from a hazy memory as it echoed within his heart and soul. It was his heartsong. … And it was beautiful. Pensword and Lunar Fang were helping Nightshade muster all the troops they could, including the cadets in Luna’s private military school for her guard. Thestral troops who were in Canterlot with the Lunar Court were also filling out the guard. Princess Luna looked out among the warriors. As the last few units mustered in, her keen eye could read five hundred strong, the majority of which came from her entire guard. She knew that teleporting now would leave not a single warrior Thestral in Canterlot, but they were needed. “MY THESTRALS,” she boomed. “THAT CUR OF EQUESTRIA HAS ONCE AGAIN DEEMED IT FIT TO ATTACK. SHE WISHES TO TAKE THE GATEWAY CITY OF NEW UNITY. WE MUST NOT LET IT FALL TO HER HOOVES, NOR HER FANGS. WE WILL BE TELEPORTING INTO THE BATTLE, AND FROM THERE, WE SHALL GIVE THIS–” The words she used next were less than flattering, and caused Conor’s ears turn pink. “–REASON TO FEAR OUR UNITY! PREPARE YOUR ARMS. BE READY TO CHARGE THE MOMENT WE ARRIVE!” The Troop stood silent. Luna nodded once as she raised Meteor Impact. Her magical aura enveloped the hammer, and caused her ursa armor to glow. “FOR EQUESTRIA! FOR THE MOON!” The troops roared as one in a rallying cry, invoking the name of the legendary first Captain of the Lunar Guard. “ORION!” With a flash of moonlight, the troops were gone, leaving Conor and Celestia watching the empty courtyard from the ramparts. “So, you decided to return,” Celestia said casually as she looked on at the empty space, which was now being filled with Celestia’s Solar Guard. Their armor shone brightly, and their manes and coats seemed almost to glow in the night as they each took a swig from a tiny bottle with a glowing yellow fluid, before turning to man their posts. Conor blushed as he rubbed at the scratches and scrapes he’d gotten thanks to the thorns from the rose bush. “Um . . . yes and no?” Celestia raised a quizzical brow. “Last I checked, it could only be one or the other.” “I was kind of torn over the whole thing. And then a rift opened in the office they’d set up for me to get ready for diplomatic relations, and well, I, uh. . . .” Celestia couldn’t help it as the corners of her lips began to tug upwards. “You tripped, didn’t you?” “. . . Yes,” Conor admitted as he slumped forward. “The guys are going to be so angry with me.” Celestia smiled. “Oh, I don’t know. A wise old tortoise once told me there are no accidents.” Conor broke out of his melancholy for a moment as he processed those words. “A wise old tortoise? Just where did you meet this tortoise?” he asked suspiciously. “Oh, we talk every once in awhile, usually while I’m meditating.” “I don’t know if I even want to ask.” Celestia chuckled. “Perhaps later, then. But the words do hold some merit. You may have chosen to come back without even realizing you had.” “Seriously?” She shrugged. “Who knows? As for Hammer Strike–.” She shuddered. “Well, just look for the bright side. As my old friend once said, ‘yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.’” Conor facepalmed. “I should have known.” He shook his head, and chuckled. “Well, que sera sera, I guess.” He shrugged. “Either way, I’m in hot water, so I might as well get ready for it.” He fingered the arm band and its jewel again. “I guess I’m just lucky I chose to wear this to the office.” Celestia smiled knowingly. “I get the feeling luck had little to do with it, and I have it on the highest authority that you were planning on coming back all along.” “Whose authority?” “The person who knows you best: Mister Conor Ignus Vulpes, or Vital Spark, if you prefer, who, perhaps by instinct,” she said as she levitated the band off his arm and the pearl from its place in his pocket, and hovered them between the two of them, “chose to take these in preparation for his imminent departure?” “Celestia. . . .” “Things happen for a reason, Conor. It is not always clear why. But I think it is clear that Equestria isn’t done with you just yet, and that you’re not done with Equestria either.” Conor didn’t know what to say to that, so he stared quietly at the troops instead. “So what now?” “We’ll work on it together. But in the meantime, how about I give you a little lesson? Something tells me Clover hasn’t been teaching you much about healing magic in your studies.” “I’m still trying to master my basic element.” “Oh, don’t worry. It’s easy. You’ll see,” she promised. “But what about the battle?” “I think we’re in enough hot water as it is, don’t you?” Conor sighed. “Another point for you, Celestia.” “Don’t feel bad. I’ve had a long time to practice.” She winked as the two suddenly appeared inside the royal library. Then she levitated the band back onto Conor’s arm, and placed the pearl on one of the tables. “Now come on. Let’s get to work.” “Come on!” one of the Gryphon commanders shouted as they struggled to place a second bar across the second set of holds on the wooden gate. The doors rattled and strained from the effort as several pairs of behemoths charged headlong into them in timed waves, having the same effect as a battering ram. The first large beam barring the door was already cracked, and splintering from the effort. Fortunately, Grif had designed the doors to hold a second beam, should the need arise, but the trouble was placing it between the waves of force attacking the walls. “Where are those damned archers? And why do those beasts still draw breath to charge us?” the commander questioned to no one in particular as they struggled. Meanwhile, on top of the gate, the Gryphon archers unloaded shot after shot at the behemoths below, but even the force from their bows wasn’t enough to pierce the thick armor on the beasts, and it was getting harder to shoot as the winds increased their force, sending the arrows off course. The moment they adjusted, the winds shifted again, leaving them with one, maybe two lucky shots. The Changelings at least had been unsuccessful at getting above the fortress thanks to the warriors in the courtyard. Every Gryphon carried a bow, so it was always easy to clear the air, if anything made it over the wall. The Changelings learned that very quickly, but if the Gryphons lost the gate, even that mercy would be beyond them. Their sharp eyes scanned the writhing masses that covered the space before the compound, desperately searching for any sort of weakness in the masses, any sign they were thinning after the countless corpses that lay around them, but it seemed like no such luck would be upon them. If only they could at least have a little rain. Rain would keep the Changelings from getting airborne, and then they might have a chance for a counterattack. Just as another behemoth reared to charge, a heavy gust of air blew through the army and across the plains, only to stop in front of the compound's walls. Every Changeling it hit froze dead still. The archers couldn’t think of why for a moment until the behemoth at the gate collapsed, first one half, and then the other. The small shock of the weight hitting the ground caused a chain reaction as a long line of changelings literally fell to pieces, their thick green blood glowing on the turf. For a moment, an archer on the battlements saw the gleam of armor beneath the blanket of Changelings, before the space was covered again. Still, hope warmed the Gryphon’s breast. “The clan leader is here! The Avatar has taken the field! Prepare to charge!” he shouted with renewed vigor as Gryphons and the few Kitsune drew their weapons. A shockwave echoed through the area as the wind swirled violently above the compound’s walls, until it pulled the clouds down. Before their very eyes, the winds that had once hindered them had descended to wreak havoc upon their enemies. Truly, the Avatar of Winds had come into his own. The Changelings paused as the portcullis rose and fell. The hive didn’t know what to think about it. Those that were close enough to see were snuffed out too quickly to register their visual receptors with the hive link. In response to this unknown threat, the Changelings surged en masse towards the bridge. Some swarmed along the sides and beneath the archway, while the others skittered along the thick stones to form a pulsing mass of black chiton and blue-green eyes that steadily consumed all that it touched. The dark cool air slowly began to get warmer, warmer, warmer still. It was starting to remind them of the Badlands now. Then, ever so slowly, the truth began to dawn on the leaders. The fearful chatter began as eyes flashed and emotion swept across their mental channels. This was not normal, and that could mean only one of two things. Either they were coming up against an incredibly gifted Unicorn mage, or Celestia’s Ghost had returned. The commanding Changelings prayed it was the former. Chrysalis was annoyed, but hopeful, as one of her spies returned to report that the humans had gone, and, as such, she need not worry about their troublesome meddling again. However, she knew her enemy well. Hammer Strike would not abandon his castle and his people. No. The others might have returned, but he would have remained behind. He had to. She would not allow her revenge to be denied. Then, as she fumed, she detected the sudden fear percolating beneath the hive mind’s surface, and pinpointed it to the troops at the front gate. That kind of fear could only be engendered by one person. She smiled cruelly as she ordered over a thousand more of her warriors to the bridge. The fool had revealed himself from the beginning. Now, it was merely a matter of wearing him down. Even the great Hammer Strike couldn’t stand against a united hive alone. her commanders responded. the hasty report sounded in her mind, before the presence was suddenly silenced. She knew what that meant. She directed her mind towards that part of the hive, looking through the eyes of her troops. The sight of the Gryphon was a virtual tornado of blades as he struck from one drone to the next, cutting through the hardened chiton as though it were thin air. This would require some planning to get around. She ordered them to fall back for the moment and regroup. If the land and the air were not an option, then they would go lower. She sent the command to her tunnelers, even as she shifted back to the bridge. With the prompt efficiency of one well versed with command, she ordered the forces to use the air to their advantage. A swarm of changelings stirring the air with their wings should help even the odds against the heat, and perhaps provide an opening to attack. In a matter of moments, she heard the buzzing of their wings. It was music to her ears, but would surely deafen those around the source. One spark gone, and then another. Each time they drew close to the gate, another Changeling died. She looked up with her own eyes from her depression in the forest, where the bodies of seven timberwolves, three manticores, and two large spiders the size of shacks lay dead. Her crown had been repaired, and her daughter remained at her side as the two were surrounded by elite guards and caretakers. The young Changeling would learn much from this battle, and Chrysalis intended to teach her everything she knew. Chrysalis’s daughter chirped over the hive mind. Chrysalis admonished. Pupa nodded mutely as she lowered her head meekly. Chrysalis chuckled as she looked into the hive mind to see the troops slipping into the chasm under the bridge. It seemed that the forces in Unity were slacking. Then again, perhaps they were simply too frightened to react properly. If they weren’t, they certainly would be by the time she and her troops were through with them. Then the explosions started. In seconds, groups of tens and twenties of lings had gone dark. Many more soon followed. Had she not suppressed it, the fear in the hive mind would have been totally paralyzing. As it was, her troops were confused, and sending orders to her captains was more of a strain as they tried to force order. Behemoths, too, began dropping in startling numbers, and soon Chrysalis found herself having to order the troops back from New Unity. She had lost a hundred troops in ten minutes, and five hundred over the next half hour as the Changelings retreated to a range that seemed to keep the Equestrians’ weapons from being most effective. She took stock of her forces. Only ninety five thousand remained. Five hundred of those had vanished from the tunneling exercises. After all the deaths she felt from the bottleneck, she wasn’t about to throw away any more. There must have been more tunnels and anti-Changeling contingencies under the castle. It was old, and maybe there were enchantments to prevent burrowers from undermining the walls. She checked in on the diggers she’d ordered to burrow under the Gryphon Compound. The only thing she got in response, aside from a few bloody glimpses, was a single snarling face of a large white smooth-surfaced timberwolf holding a severed changeling head between its considerable jaws, but they were in, and that was all that mattered. She ordered two thousand changelings to head into the tunnels and flood the lower levels. Pain. Pain and heat erupted from the drones swarming the tunnel as swirling fluids filled their eyes, burning and stinging all it touched. The entire two thousand died within minutes of entering the tunnel, while the drones outside found themselves pounced upon by the same snarling white head. To Chrysalis’s horror, the wolf howled, and the timberwolf corpses nearby crackled as the wood moaned and shifted. The corpses rattled to their paws as twigs and wooden boughs snapped unnaturally into place. The sickly green of their eyes reignited into a glowing blue as they crouched, then pounced, and began loping in a jerkish motion to reach towards the battlefield. As she watched through her troops’ eyes, the white wolf broke apart with all the other timber wolves’ bodies as they burst through the forest line to create a virtual tornado of boughs and greenery. In a matter of seconds that seemed to last an eternity, the pieces reassembled into a giant timberwolf the size of a bull elephant. It growled before the host. Then she lost sight of it as it lashed with its mighty paws, shredding through the front line of Changelings. She ordered one thousand of her troops to swarm the timberwolf and to start using their secretions to immobilize it. Then she turned her attention more fully over to where Celestia’s Ghost was, only to pause as she switched back to her drones on the other side of the bridge. All who tried to get to the bridge were snuffed out, most likely due to whatever new weapon was being used. However, through the eyes on this one drone, she looked up as she heard a strange sound. Fire was starting to rain from the sky. She switched to a scout hiding in a tree to look at the gatehouse, and found the bridge being bathed in a sheet of fire. She quickly cast her mind across the hive network to take stock of the losses. She had ninety three thousand drones left. According to her troops, they had only taken out ten ponies and seven gryphons. That was far from optimal. How could such a small number of troops have taken out so many of her own? She growled her frustration as she contemplated their next move. She got a ping from one of the captains she’d stationed at the boulevard leading from New Unity to the rest of Equestria, and she smiled maliciously. The captain and its troops had cut off any means of retreat or reinforcements. As she jumped to view through the ling’s mind, she chuckled as she saw an armored Luna and her contingent of troops. she taunted over the hive, She chuckled as she ordered five thousand drones to separate from the swarm and attack Luna from all sides. She would rue the day she and her followers stood against them at the wedding. Pensword crouched the moment the light from Luna’s spell ceased. In the dark of the night, he could see the massing and swarming black mass that reminded him of an ant colony on the sidewalk. He smiled as he heard his High Chieftess laugh. “Oh. It would seem Chrysalis sees me as a threat. What a wonderful battlefield present!” She raised Meteor Impact and yelled, “ATTACK, MY THESTRALS! A HUNDRED VAMPIRE FRUIT BATS TO THE WARRIOR WHO BRINGS ME THE SKULL OF A PRAETORIAN!” The five hundred launched forward, displaying the same manic expression as their leader. Their cries didn’t bring pause to the five thousand, but it didn’t matter to them. What mattered was overcoming this threat, and breaking through to New Unity. Pensword charged with wings outstretched. Lunar Fang surged at his side. The pair appeared to be unarmed, and Chrysalis laughed at their foolishness, that is, until she saw what happened to the drones their wings brushed against. Suddenly, she found her troops were losing limbs. Then she felt them die. Lunar Fang spoke up almost cheerfully after decapitating another Changeling. “That’s five,” she called. “Well I just got seven.” Pensword grinned as he watched the drone fall. He sighted a Praetorian, and grinned. They both charged forward with a burst of speed that neither could have hoped for back on Earth. Pensword slashed through the chiton like a crossbow bolt through its target. Lunar Fang sliced another praetorian up its backside, peeling off the shiton like a cheese rind. They spun around in a dance of metal wings and hooves as they knocked back or killed intermittently. They soon were joined by warriors from the Dream Clan, who formed up to act as Pensword’s guard. “Make that eleven,” Pensword growled as he tied the praetorian’s head to his belt. “I got thirteen,” Lunar Fang growled. The head of her prize bounced off her rump as she charged forward once again. Meanwhile Luna was easily smashing three Changelings with each swing of her hammer. “FORE!” Luna shouted as she swung at a changeling’s head. True to her warning, the head flew from the stump and careened into a neighbouring drone’s body in a cloud of green mist. Then the drone’s torso and the head both continued onwards, while the drone’s four legs remained where they had stood. Unlike Celestia, who was almost always accompanied by an attachment of guards, Luna’s personal space was devoid of Thestrals, which proved to be a good thing as she swung her hammer with a nigh-reckless abandon, and with no signs of slowing down. Her magic seemed limitless as her horn glowed and synched with the hammer’s handle. She also used her sharpened horseshoes to kick and buck at any Changeling around her. As a direct result, the Pony princess was surrounded by a mass of green and black spots. Her ear flicked as she caught her Commander, and his wife keeping track. “We hath forty!” The words brought pride to the five hundred troops as they fought towards New Unity. They’d already moved forward by a yard. Lunar Fang laughed. “I’m so happy there’s enough for all of us,” she crowed as she sliced another Changeling across its barrel. “Twenty!” Pensword smirked. “Twenty one,” he countered as he smashed one Changeling with his metal wingblade. Even despite the damage incurred thus far, his blades still shone like new, and were sharp as a ray of moonlight. They felt it and heard it as the behemoth rumbled forward, crushing trees, and creating its own path towards the group. They heard a yelp, and the sounds of battle intensified as the advance began to slow. Finally, the first warrior fell to the drones. They had to make it. They had to prove that New Unity wouldn’t be alone in their hour of need. Luna growled as she mustered her magic, and shoved the Changelings away to give them time to regroup. Unfortunately for them, the Changelings regrouped in a matter of seconds. Luna pushed her mind out to sense the extent of what they had to face. She was surprised to sense a mind the likes of which she had not touched in well over a millennium. She felt its fierce anger, recognized the desire to protect, to maintain territory, to fight to the last. She heard the song of the stars that spun within its pelt. A loud bellow of defiance washed over the forest and the combatants, only to be cut off with a sickening crack. Luna felt it, and heard as the stars in the heavens trembled and wept. She rocked on her hooves as the savage mind was tainted by fear, and then by sorrow and regret, before it finally disappeared. Only three Ponies on this battlefield had heard such a cry before, and lived to tell the tale, and Luna was one of them. Rage and indignation ignited within her at the Changelings’ audacity. It was one thing to kill an ursa major out of need. It was another entirely to kill the creature just to be cruel.  “Chrysalis will pay,” she vowed as her pupils transformed into slits. In an instant, three behemoths had been impaled by her hammer’s shaft. Their green blood hissed and burned as her magic rebelled against it, fueled by her righteous indignation. She recalled the hammer to her, and let loose a rallying cry. Her Thestrals responded in kind, fighting all the harder. They may not have understood the gravity of the situation, but the reaction of their High Chieftess was enough for them to understand the need to fight on. Luna drew herself up, and then, in a rather unexpected turn of events, directed her magic not into her hammer, but into her own body. The blue aura glowed and sparked as its intensity slowly increased, even as the aura lessened, becoming more of a thin line, rather than the usual ethereal quality. Chrysalis’ laughter echoed through battle as a behemoth approached. Its eyes glowed green as its sides continued to heave. “How does it feel, Princess, to have such losses, to face such a foe? I have killed an Ursa Major. I have proven that I am just as powerful as you. Do you really think that you can win when my Changelings outnumber you so completely?” The derisive laughter carried once again. “How ridiculously naive.” Luna breathed heavily, and snorted as her magic continued to flow over her body. Other than that, there was no sign that she was even listening in the first place. This irked the Changeling queen. She wanted to see them struggle, watch the outrage after destroying something these pathetic fools held dear. “I think the bear will do nicely as a rug over your grave.” In an explosion of magic, Luna swelled to three times her size, her eyes ablaze with white light. Chrysalis instantly felt fifty of her drones snuffed out in an instant. Never had Ponies reacted this strongly or violently before. Even so far away, she was certain she could hear the rage-filled rant. “YOU DARE TO INSULT MY TRIBE? YOU DARE BRING SHAME TO THE BEASTS THAT WE HUNT FOR OUR LIVES? YOUR TRIBE WILL DIE FOR THIS INSULT! WHEN I HUNTED, THE ENTIRE BEAR WAS USED. THE MEAT WAS SAVED FOR ALL THE TRIBES, THE BONES BECAME MY VERY ARMOR, THE FUR A SIGN OF MY STATION! YOU WOULD DARE TO TAKE SOMETHING SO SACRED, AND TURN IT INTO SOMETHING SO MUNDANE AS A THROW RUG? YOU WILL FEEL THE WRATH OF ALL THESTRALS AND THE MOON HERSELF!”  Luna put her mind out into the wild, and she found what she had feared. She sighed, and shook her head sadly as her magic began to weave around her armor. Even in the heat of battle, Grif had, somehow, made out the sound of something dying. He hadn’t heard what got Luna so stirred up, but even as she spoke, something within him resonated with anger. To kill such a mighty beast without honor was wrong. The tornado around him increased in pressure. Changelings not careful enough to stay on the ground were torn to shreds around him as he hacked and slashed those nearby to pieces. While he couldn’t do the Royal Canterlot Voice, he found he could enhance his own volume by manipulating the air’s effect on the soundwaves. “AND THE AVATAR OF WINDS WELL REAP ANY WHO MAKE IT PAST YOU!” he swore. Hammer Strike continued his slaughter as he thought to himself, noting the roar, the yelling, and the anger in the air. He was more focused on the battle in front of him, but he couldn’t help but mutter to himself. “Strike fear into them, and make them cower.” Queen Chrysalis stood in the clearing. Eighty seven thousand five hundred drones stood back. Five hundred of those were trying different avenues of tunneling into the compound. She may not be able to breach New Unity that way, but it would give her a foothold in the stronghold near the Castle’s base, and that would suffice for a start. She ordered up some spin shooters, and took out three Gryphons from the compound wall, and six more ponies from the walls on New Unity. Luna was another fifteen minutes from reaching the outskirts of New Unity, and the troops were doing well to keep her distracted, but with this new burst of magic, it was unlikely that they would be able to stall for long. The wind was still blowing, and the fire was once more moving. Hammer Strike stood on the middle of the bridge now. She had ordered some of her drones to start building and fortifying her position to protect her daughter and herself. As she watched and listened to her hive, she both saw and felt as Hammer Strike launched a great fireball into the air, which was promptly taken up by the wind, and spread like a great sheet through the air, raging through the trees, and roasting many of her Changelings, even as they sought an avenue of escape. What had originally only destroyed a few drones and the occasional praetorian now devoured indiscriminately. Drones, praetorians, behemoths, all swallowed without mercy. Only scorched earth was left in the fiery tempest’s wake as the Everfree Forest lit up with orange and red. Trees burnt to ash or exploded when the moisture inside boiled too high. Several panicked cragodiles were forced from their homes, and fled in Chrysalis’ direction. Many of her elite drones were snapped up as the the monsters passed. Chrysalis’ magic blasts bounced uselessly off the creatures’ stone skin. She had to stop herself from attacking, and erected a shield, instead. Yet again, she had been saved by Shining Armor’s spell. The monsters soon passed them by, but, in their haste, they had not noticed the precious treasure they left behind. She ordered a drone to pick up the cragodile scale and return it to their hive. It would prove useful to analyze its life force and overall genetic structure for future use. With this newest addition, they now had the venom of the giant spider, samples from the manticores of the Everfree, and even timberwolf samples, but the coup de grace had to be the ursa. While she couldn’t skin it, she had been able to pluck some fur, and draw a few blood samples to return to her hive with. With enough time, there would be some very interesting options for her to utilize in the makeup of her future children. She looked expectantly towards the castle walls, and chuckled to herself. Her hive had achieved samples that no other Changeling queen had ever found, and she would use that to her advantage. Switching to one of her camouflaged units, she watched as Hammer Strike continued his steady advance. She knew the cost would be great, but sacrificing drones to draw Hammer Strike away from the castle was the only viable strategy at this point. While he was distracted, she would be able to target the weaker rear, and break through the shield that mage had dared to erect in the first place. She was doubtless exhausted by now. The poor dear. Chrysalis couldn’t wait to put her out of her misery. She sighed as she felt yet more lives being lost. No matter. She would soon have what she wanted. Silver Spear carefully examined the troops on the wall as they scanned the forest line. The battle had waged on for several hours with few, if any, reprieves. At this rate, they would run out of ammunition in another hour. The trees were knocked down, burned black, or otherwise pushed back from the normal line by about another sixty feet. He nodded to the defenders before turning to address some of the recruits below. “Okay.” He looked to the three Gryphon Slayers that had organized the cadets. Moon Biter, Animal Control, and Whistle Clean each gave him a stern salute, which he returned in kind. How strange it was to be in a position of command, when he had started out so rough. Yet now, here he stood, fighting side by side with his fellow recruits nearly two years later. Before he could begin, he heard the rumbles of the ground as Big Guns made his way towards them, and stood at the back with his war ax at the ready. Silver Spear nodded to Big Guns before finally beginning his address. “I want us to gear up in the best armor Lord Hammer Strike has for us. Like it or not, we have to take this battle to the Changelings. We can’t take shelter in these walls forever, not with our ammunition running so low. As such, we are going to lead a charge to break through the enemy’s ranks, and reach Princess Luna and her forces. Once we meet up, we will perform a tactical retreat back to the castle walls, and from there, we’ll start using hit-and-run tactics with Princess Luna leading the charges.” He levitated his plan scroll, and perused the specifics of the notes he’d taken from the council meeting on the strategy. “We move out in an hour. Hammer Strike has engaged the enemy to provide us the window of opportunity we need. We’ll be leaving by way of a side gate a pair of our mages will transmute from the stone. Clover the Clever will only be able to give us a brief opening, so we’ll need to be quick. Have I made myself clear?” The soldiers saluted, but they didn’t say a word. The shield was working to keep the Changelings out for now, and, for the moment, no spies could see into the castle. That gave them the element of surprise. They knew the price, if they failed. “Right, then. Fall out. We meet up in forty five minutes at the side gate.” The raging fires in the forest were visible, even from Ponyville, and while Granny Smith, Applejack, Applebloom, and Big Mac fled to the town from their farm, the town itself was busy preparing fire brigades and volunteers to head towards the forest. As the flower sisters all cried about it being the end of the world, and the horror that was coming, other citizens were busy getting water ready for transport, filling buckets, and placing them in spare carts. Button Mash had emerged with what looked like a model of Hammer Strike’s pistol, only this one shot water when he pulled the trigger. Filthy Rich was busy giving orders, while Diamond Tiara and her mother held closely to one another. Mayor Mare was hard at work overseeing the filling of each cart as various stallions and mares hitched up to the wagons to prepare for the trek. Suddenly, a blinding flash of light filled the sky, and everypony stopped their work to gaze up in wonder as Celestia slowly descended with a white Unicorn at her side. “Citizens of Ponyville. While your desire to assist your neighbors is admirable, I must insist that you cease and desist immediately. That fire is not of natural origins, and you are vastly underprepared for the dangers that await within the Everfree. Hammer Strike, Pensword, and Grif will be able to handle it on their own. You need not fear. However, I must ask that, until the time that things settle down again, you remain within your houses for your own protection.” While those around the Princess began to head to their homes, others still moved the wagons towards the edge of town, just in case the fires got that far. Others were still gathered around the library. “Um, Celestia?” “Yes, Vital Spark?” Celestia asked as she turned to him. “You think we should maybe talk to the girls?” “You mean Twilight?” He nodded. “Vital Spark, Twilight is a responsible mare. I doubt she would think to do something so foolish as–” “Princess Celestia!” Twilight raced up and smiled. Her focus was floating beside her. “Were you about to go to New Unity, too?” “I may not have been around as long as you, Celestia, but I’m pretty sure even you should have foreseen she’d want to go,” Vital Spark said pointedly. “Vital Spark? What’re you doing back? I thought you went to Earth with Shawn and the others.” “I . . . had an accident,” he said with a hasty blush. “Hammer Strike’s not going to be happy about this.” “He already knows.” “So they’re all back?” Vital Spark nodded. “And you’re not going anywhere near that battlefield, young lady,” Celestia said seriously. “And neither are your friends. None of you has enough experience.” “I’m not going to just stand by when my friends’ lives are at stake!” “That is exactly what you are going to do, Twilight,” Celestia said. Her voice was stern, and unyielding. “You’re not ready yet.” “Yes, I am!” “No, you’re not. Has Clover told you that you are yet?” “This is an exception! The circumstances have changed!” “Not enough to justify putting your life in danger.” “I can handle it!” “No, Twilight, you can’t.” “Yes, I can!” she insisted. “We can!” Celestia sighed. “Twilight, would you be willing to accept a compromise?” “. . . I’m listening.” “If you can manage to land three hits on me in a row without me hitting you back, then I will acknowledge that you are skilled enough to go into battle, and join Hammer Strike.” “Deal.” Vital Spark shook his head. “Oh, you poor, naive soul,” he muttered. The battle was going, and going poorly. Only fifty more Changelings had fallen, when compared to another two Gryphons and fifty Ponies. However, Luna and her four hundred fifty troops had arrived in a scorched region that Pensword recognized, and he was more than angry. The lodge that the Thestrals had built, with the signs of a wall half completed, was little more than a charred ruin. Changelings continued to stream towards them, even as Pensword took out another three with his bow. He growled as he looked around. With the swarm circling around them, they had little choice but to take shelter and make a stand. The castle walls had been effectively cut off. They did their best to avoid the attacks as they did their best to cover all the entrances. The Changelings hissed in predatory lust. Their targets were trapped. Now they could take their time. Taking advantage of the distraction, the troops in the fortress poured out from the castle wall as the combined magics of a pair of mages and their foci opened the way. Silver Spear and his soldiers poured out, slamming into Chrysalis’ forces from the rear, dividing and disorienting the drones as they took out their captains. Without a commander to guide them, the Changelings became little more than feral creatures, making it all the easier to target and take them out, opening a path for Luna and her Thestrals to retreat into the fortress. Regrettably, five rookies fell in the attack, thanks to three Changelings who had enough presence of mind, or perhaps enough obedience to command, to disguise themselves in the chaos. The three were swiftly subdued, before the signal was given, and they passed back into the safety of the castle’s walls. The relief column were swift to tend to the wounded and their weapons. The sound of heavy hooves pounded the cobblestones as a lieutenant raced to the commander’s side. “Commander Pensword, Sir, you’re needed at the front gate. Hammer Strike’s been drawn away from the castle, and the enemy’s come with a white flag for negotiations.” “They’ve pulled back!” one of the recruits shouted in confirmation. “Delegation approaching from the forest borders!” Pensword looked to Lunar Fang, who nodded as she moved to help resupply the troops. Fox Feather fought her way through the crowd as she tried to push the nurses aside. Her left wing was missing several feathers, and a makeshift splint had been made to keep her from moving the joint. Pensword winced when he saw her. “Not as bad as it looks.” “Right,” Pensword responded drly. They ascended the stairs together and looked down from the parapet at the Changeling drone. It stood on the middle of the bridge. A white cloth had been tied to its horn. As they watched the Changeling opened its mouth and Chrysalis's voice called out. “I have peace terms to give, if you are listening.” “Oh, we’re listening, Chrysalis,” Hammer Strike said as he approached from behind, and stuck the point of one of his daggers against the drone’s neck. He chuckled. “Speak quickly, or my dagger just might accidentally slip.” Pensword’s left ear twitched, he could hear fighting from the Gryphon compound. It seemed that she was using this time to push more of her drones upon the compound. “Well, Speak!” Pensword roared. Chrysalis chuckled. “Oh, I shall. I only wish for two things, and you and your ponies can leave this land peacefully, and return in a month.” Her voice echoed with a sense of self-satisfied smugness and superiority. “Just hand over Lord Hammer Strike, here, and the rogue hive which you harbor. Do this, and you and yours will be allowed to march out with your colors and your weapons intact. As I said before, after a month, you may return to this place, and settle it once more. My qualm is not with you or your soldiers, at least not this day.” “Nuts to you!” Pensword roared. An arrow alighted from the Bladefeather compound, blazing brightly in the evening air. In a matter of seconds, the white flag on the Changeling’s horn had been reduced to cinders. “VICTORY OR DEATH!” the Gryphons shouted together. Pensword snorted in rage. “I wish they hit their supplies,” he muttered. Then he raised his voice. “Under the laws of combat etiquette, you have ten seconds to return to your lines before we kill your drone.” The drone only laughed as he tried to bite Hammer Strike. Not only was the mouth burned from the heat radiating off of Hammer Strike’s hide, but the fangs shattered on him, before the creature was impaled by two spears thrown by Pensword from the wall. The bushes rustled angrily as the Changelings prepared to charge again. Hammer Strike glared back into the forest. “Prepare the troops. We will have to face them forward.” Pensword moved towards the courtyard as Princess Luna began to gather her magic once again. He couldn’t help but wonder if she was going to try something as dangerous and deadly as Celestia’s solar spire. “We need all the help we can get,” he muttered to himself. He paused as he saw one of the maids wearing armor, and the painted emblem of Hammer Strike; however, what really caught his attention was her unique cutie mark, an exact replica of his own. “I would like to speak to your mother, young lady. This is no place for you,” he growled, then smirked happily as the maid’s form shifted to that of one of Me-Me’s children. The Changeling’s eyes lit dimly as Me-Me’s voice filtered through her open mouth. “Pensword, whats going on? We’ve been trying to find you.” “I got teleported to the edge of the forest, and waged a war. We only just got into the castle, and took care of a ‘generous’ offer to surrender.” He frowned. “Why have you been looking for me?” They’d moved to the edge to be out of the way as more soldiers marshalled in the courtyard to reinforce Luna’s troops. Thirty of the remaining number were no longer fit for duty, or had been called to use their night vision to aid in maintaining the defenses. “I have two hundred war drones ready, but they are bred to follow your command structure. They couldn’t be deployed without your say-so.” Pensword paused. “How am I going to command drones? I don’t have runners to control or command them. And are they going to be free enough to react to fluid changes on the battlefield?” He sighed. “All the same, we could use all the help we can get. You may tell them that they have my permission.” “I don’t suppress my children’s free will. You should know better than that. Confusion is the enemy on a battlefield. Best to have one command structure than have to memorize a new one during a battle. As for how you command them, Preston has your answer for that. I’m sorry. I have to go. We need to make sure the second egg chamber’s been sealed properly, in case the worst should come to pass.” Pensword watched the glow fade from the Changeling’s eyes. “Hmm. Not all Changeling queens get stuck,” he muttered as he quickly made his way to the command room. On the way, Preston showed up, and hastily greeted him. Pensword reacted in kind. “Good to see you again, Preston. I was told you have an answer for how I am going to command the Changeling drones? They got the word to start, and will be joining this assault.” “My Queen’s been thinking on this for a while,” Preston said as he ushered Pensword to his desk, and slid open a hidden drawer. “It’s taken a while for her to be sure you wouldn’t be stuck with the hive song distracting you.” He pulled out a case made of chitin, and opened it to reveal a simple silver circlet with a glowing green stone mounted midst the simple engraving at the front. Pensword looked at the circlet. “This will allow me to command those troops, and get them to move?” he asked as he touched the circlet. “The hive song. . . .” He muttered hesitantly. “Matthew is freaking out about this, but this is war, and I humbly accept this tool for communication.” He carried the accessory with him as he made his way to the door. “Right. I’d better get to the war room. Make sure the drones wear their beacons. That way I can see them on the battle map, and it will show some of the magic of what is happening around them.” It would only be symbols and icons, but it was more than the old model had given him. Now he’d have more real time information to use in the fight. It wasn’t three dimensional tech just yet, but they’d get there eventually. When he’d received the affirmative from Preston, he pulled the circlet on his head. At first there was a kind of static white noise at the back of Pensword’s mind, and then, with a small pop, a gentle humming began. It reminded Matthew of an old TV or computer warming up. To Pensword, it was a new experience, and he was prepped for anything to happen next. He braced himself for the song, ready to tear the circlet off the moment even a hint of it began to manifest, but, so far, things were going well.  a voice seemed to reverberate through the humming. Despite the strange tingling sensation, Pensword found it wasn’t unpleasant. It took a few attempts for Pensword to get it right, but he finally figured out how to broadcast his thoughts through the gem, and into the network. With that said, he reached the war room, and happily noticed the new markers appearing on the map. “Where did these two hundred come from?” one of the mages asked, surprised as the Changelings joined the rest of the troops. “I don’t know. Is this a glitch?” Another asked. “Find out, immediately.” “Negative!” Pensword shouted. “COMMANDER ON DECK!” one of the recruits barked as he snapped to attention. “Get back to work,” Pensword snapped, turning his head to face the pony that spoke. “This is a war. We don’t have time for formalities.” “Of . . . of course, Sir.” The pony quickly shied away from the Commander, and returned to his post. “Right. Those two hundred are troops sent from House Everfree, the first house to swear allegiance under Lord Hammer Strike in this day and age. I will be designating them group orange.” He broke off from his conversation, and returned to his hive link. Pensword asked. the leader responded. With that, the voice went silent. He looked back at the guards monitoring the field. “How long till the troops are ready to leave the nest, and attack into the forest.” “Another ten minutes,” an aide called out. “Then we wait.” Grif landed in front of the Bladefather compound, staggering slightly as he hit the ground. He was exhausted and bloody, and, behind him, there was a large track of upturned, and, in some cases, scorched ground. The last embers from the firestorm that came from his and Hammer Strike’s combined magic swirled around him. With the last of the mana he could grasp, he took hold of each, covering them in a ball of air, and then a shell of compressed air. He waved his talons, and they scattered like missiles. Each found the tunnel mouths from Chrysalis’s attempts to enter the compound. They flew into them, following the flow of air down into the earth, until the inner air was consumed, and the spark dug into the compressed mana-laden air around it. The ground shook behind Grif as several small detonations rumbled beneath, collapsing chrysalis’s tunnels. It wasn’t the safest way to seal them, but it was the fastest, and he didn’t have the strength to fight off more at the moment. The gate opened before Grif as two warriors ran out, and immediately extended their wings to offer their leader support. Without a word, they led him inside the compound through a crowd of soldiers that parted reverently as they passed into the clan building. With some work, they opened the sanctuary, and let the clan lord enter. Tired, but determined, Grif scanned the room carefully, until he caught sight of Kalima, and made his way towards her. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I tried my hardest to get here. It’s a mess out there. Is she okay? Are the girls okay?” “They’re just fine, Grif.” Kalima smiled kindly, then smirked. “All four of them.” “Avalon hasn’t tried any spells, I hope?” Grif said. “Please, take me to them.” “The birthing was a little hard on her, Grif. The first one always is. She’s nursing the babies now, so be gentle,” Kalima cautioned as the guard on Gryphonesses parted to let their clan leader and the old one through. There, lying on a makeshift nest with two suckling puffballs of fur and thin, downy feathers, was Shrial. Avalon kept watch over the three, and the new mother smiled beatifically as she cooed and chirped over her new babies. Grif felt tears roll out of his eyes as he approached. Happiness and grief warred inside him as he approached her. “I’m so sorry, my heart,” he warbled to her in old Gryphic. “I should not have missed this.” Shrial smiled, and raised a hand to brush his cheek. “None of that. I’m too tired to knock some sense into you right now. Come say hello to our girls.” Grif approached to two balls of fur, and laid down slowly. He could already see that one of them would have Shrial’s red plumage and fur. The other one was darker, not quite his black, but a much darker red than her mother or twin sister. He ever-so-carefully reached out, and stroked her back between the tiny vestigial wings. “Redder than the rose, redder than wine, and redder than blood. You’ll walk happily through nature's beauty by morning, slaughter your enemies in the afternoon, and drink of their stores in the night. Be wise, daughter, and be strong. I name you Athena. Bear it well.” He looked to Shrial, and with a note, he stroked the other one with his other hand. “A name as misleading as you want it to be. You will feed death to the enemies of your sister during the day, and shelter the cubs beneath your wings at night. Be kind, but be fierce. I name you Gentle Wing. Bear it well. Bear these names well, my daughters, and know my love will never leave you.” The two cubs let off suckling from their mother briefly to let out tired yawns with the cutest little squeaks a babe could make, before returning to the urgent need for food. Shrial winced slightly. “The first latch always hurts,” she said as she slowly released the tension in her body after the initial pain had passed. “Today, my heart, you have given me a gift beyond all value,” Grif said to Shrial as he nuzzled her gently. “My gratitude is unending. I only hope I will be a worthy father. Keep them safe, and we shall do this properly after the threat is dealt with.” “With you here, I’m certain those parasites won’t stand a chance,” Avalon said with a smirk. “Even I am mortal, Avalon. I need rest and food. I have killed many, but there are still many more, and I fear the next hours will be a mess.” He kissed Shrial, then Avalon, gently. “But for now, I need to go find a meal and a bed. Be safe, pieces of my heart.” And with that, Grif let himself out.   “So when are you going to pull Hammer Strike off the front line?” one of the Thestrals asked as he looked over the map. “When he gets tired,” Pensword responded. “Trying to tell him to come rest is the same as trying to tell a manticore to follow commands.” One of the tacticians raised a wing. “I know he does that with El Fluffy, which proves my point. Hammer Strike does what Hammer Strike wants in battle.” He looked at the map as another fifty Changelings tried to surround Hammer Strike’s symbol. He moved a wing to touch the Circlet. In the last day, the two hundred drones he’d commanded had been whittled down to nothing. Even when he offered to keep them off the front line, they insisted on attacking. It felt strange feeling each mind drop. He had gotten used to knowing they were there for updates and reports, but the connection was an odd one, and felt strangely intimate. He looked at the map. The good news was he knew where the general direction of the enemy hive was coming from. He made a choice to not look at the losses during the battle. The shield was being held by Luna while Clover rested and recovered her mana. “Get Captain Silver Spear’s teams together. We need to make a push to this area here,” he said pointing towards a clearing in the woods. “Hopefully, getting a shot there will bring less pressure on the Bladefeather compound, allowing them to get out of the gates.” He hastily wrote something down on a scroll, then rolled it up and shoved it at one of the Thestrals. “Get this scroll to Hammer Strike. It’s time to have him start pushing further. We can keep the area clear. We need to press the attack.” Pensword looked up as he heard a voice clearing at the table. “Yes, Trixie? Do you have your release from Clover?” “Trixie does. She is on . . . shield duty.” She sighed heavily. “Good. Speak to Luna, and she’ll help you with the matrix. That shield is the only thing keeping ol’ Sticky Spit from swarming the walls and airspace. If that dome goes, we all go with it.” Trixie looked very nervous then. “Clover must trust Trixie very much to have Trixie with Princess Luna.” “That she does. Thank you for your help. That gives us three high level spell users that can power the shield.” He waited for a few moments while Trixie stood there. “You’re dismissed, Trixie. Get to the princess now.” “Ye–yes, Commander Hurr–Pensword.” Trixie turned and galloped away. Pensword looked at the retreating figure. “No one has ever called me by my adopted house’s name.” He frowned. “Aide Preston, make sure that Trixie does not make that mistake again. I do not go by Commander Hurricane.” He turned his head, unsure. He felt like somepony was nearby, but he couldn’t see them. The fifty Changelings rustled around the underbrush, underbrush that Hammer Strike had continued to clear and burn away to allow less hiding spaces. Chrysalis’ voice rang out from one of the fifty. “So, you enjoy burning my drones. I must say, you have done worse than I had thought. I anticipated losing more drones to you and your forces already. Do you know how many I brought from the start? One hundred thousand. You now only face approximately eighty thousand, and that is after suffering severe losses, and exhausting your key players.” She paused for a second. “So, what are you going to do now?” She laughed. “You’ve lost . . . how many troops now? How long till you put on the old cripples or the children to fight? All you have to do is lay your life down for me, and you can save all you care for. What about your friends? Your Fiance? I could send ten thousand of my forces, and, in a single night, they could cart away the entire town of Ponyville, and you can’t do a single thing to stop it.” “At least we have willing soldiers, and at least I don’t have to hide behind my troops, unlike a certain someone I could name.” Hammer Strike chuckled darkly. “I mean, hey, if that’s your thing, that’s your thing.” “Why should I, a Changeling queen, wade into the battlefield, when I have all these drones willing to push you back? I don’t have to dirty my hooves at all this time.” “No, no, you don’t have to come out here. After all, a leader like you should probably stay in the back.” “Finally, something we can agree on,” she responded with venom in her voice as all fifty tensed, flapping their wings to form a loud, angry buzz.” “I just figured you were an actual threat, but I seem to be mistaken.” “I learned from the last two times.” “Obviously, you didn’t, if you’re here again.” Hammer Strike’s mouth twitched before pulling up into a malevolent grin. The fifty charged. Hammer Strike didn’t move. The fifty got closer. Hammer Strike yawned, uninterested. The fifty nearly made it. Then Hammer Strike sneezed, and a wave of fire shot out from his body, turning anything that entered its radius to ash instantly. “Gah, ash,” he muttered as he rubbed his nose. A few moments later, a Thestral flapped in, sending said substance all over the place. “Missive from Command. We may have found the enemy’s base of operations.” The thestral handed over the scroll. “Ooh, I was looking for some good news. Let’s see what you got,” Hammer Strike replied as he opened the scroll. Hammer Strike looked up, and turned a quarter turn to the left, looking deeper into the Everfree Forest, and away from Ponyville. That was the direction of the base. He was facing where Chrysalis was hiding, and the angry hissing he heard sounding through the forest only proved his suspicions. He casually threw a dagger at a tree trunk, impaling one of the stealth units. He then proceeded to retrieve his dagger, and began his advance. He chuckled once more. “This is gonna be grand.” Trixie stood in the courtyard, where cushions, food trays, and other items lay scattered around. Clover the Clever and Princess Luna stood there together, eying the mare. “Trixie is ready to learn,” Trixie said. “I’ve been doing some careful work on this, Trixie. I’ve had to alter the magical field to take advantage of your rather . . . unique magical properties,” Clover said. “To begin. . . .” She proceeded to slowly explain the shield’s magical formula. Trixie was shocked and humbled that she was going to become a key to the defense of this dome, at least once she found out just how much effort and skill had to go into its weaving. She listened intently, and soon her horn was alight with her magic. It began to glow, and the dome slowly shifted color as Princess Luna lowered her own contributions. It was a tense hoof over as drones buzzed around in hopes of getting through the barrier. Clover gave a curious look when she noticed every once in awhile a darker bolt of magical energy shot out from the shield and speared a changeling, causing the body to shrivel, and then crumble to dust. That was not part of the formula. Clearly, she’d need to research this later. “Trixie has this. You two had better join the battle. We are all getting tired.” Clover smiled up at Luna as she swept her focus in her magic. “I couldn’t help but notice you're still using your old potato masher,” she said as they turned to the gate. An eerie fire lit behind Clover’s eyes. “And you still prefer your fancy stick,” Luna shot back. “There is plenty for both of us.” “Yes, there is.” Clover nodded as the two seemed to phase through the gate completely. The metal latticework of the portcullis passed through their bodies like they were immaterial. “Shall we say first to a thousand?” “I’m sorry. I didn’t know the old mare was too tired to really go all out.” “Oh, Luna, it is ON!” And with savage war cries, the two mares charged the Changelings with all the ferocity of twin manticores. Pensword watched the two charge into battle, a sad smile on his muzzle, his wings twitching in longing to join. But he knew his place. He had to remain to guide the other troops. “Have fun, you two,” he whispered. “Kill a few hundred for me.” He doubted they would hear him, but his break was over, and he was needed back in the war room. Silver Spear looked at the troops, and forced his stomach to settle. There wasn’t time for nerves. These troops needed a leader as the last vanguard against the Changelings. The background noise from their wings made them more than a little jumpy. It didn’t help that they still had tens of thousands of troops to overcome. He looked to one of the ponies with a dragon fire lantern. They were trying to coordinate with the Gryphon Compound to create a pincer movement, but it would be a difficult move without careful planning on both sides. He took another deep breath. “Troops, prepare for another charge.” He could hear Clover and Luna still battling outside. They would join the fight, but give the two mages a wide berth. “Sir, you're still wounded from the last charge,” one of the soldiers noted. “Shouldn’t someone else be leading?” “Who else do we have?” He motioned towards the recovering forms of the Demon Slayers. The Gryphons all had fresh wounds that seeped and slowly dried. Their armor was dented and smudged with the green ooze that passed for Changeling blood. “We need to give them more room to breathe.” He smirked. “Besides. If we push hard enough, we just might be able to confront the queen.” “Black Rook?” “Under sedation in the Gryphon Compound. It was the only way Little Willow could drag him off the field. He’ll make it, but he won’t be fighting for another month.” “Perhaps Princess Luna could be asked to head the charge? Or maybe Big Guns? He certainly seems to have enjoyed the last few bouts.” A Thestral broke ranks to reply. “Princess Luna needs at least a three hammer circle around her clear of any allies. Big Guns is busy smashing bugs to the south with the Demos, Heavies, and Bladefeather backup.” She turned and bowed to Silver Spear. “My apologies, Captain.” “Forget about it. You knew the intel, and you shared it.” He looked at the others. “Do you want Commander Pensword to lead the charge? Or Lunar Fang? Fox Feather is being held back now because of a broken leg and a sprained wing. And thanks to those flying monstrosities, no offense to our Changeling allies, she’s lost most of her feathers, so she’s grounded. Do you want us to lose the commander, too? If he steps back out on the field, he’ll be swarmed, and either captured or killed. What would that do for our morale? And worse yet, think of what would happen to us for letting him fall.” Silver Spear shuddered. “Hammer Strike and Grif would likely take exception to that.” A collective shudder of horror ran through the ranks. “I was just noting, Sir. The healers said you needed to wait until they're sure the skin’s sealed properly, or your wound could open again.” “I’ve already gotten permission. We have to attack to keep the rest of New Unity safe. We’re all wounded to varying degrees. I’m not about to stop just because of a few cuts. I’ve got a few healing spells and talismans. That’ll get me through the charge. Now stop worrying about me, and start worrying about protecting our families. We need to provide an avenue for the rest of the troops to reach Chrysalis’ base and draw her out. We’re going to punch through her troops, and make as much noise as possible. Is that clear?” “Sir, yes, Sir!” the group responded. “We wait for the Gryphons’ signal, and then we charge.” From a protected area of the wall Pensword looked down and nodded his head to the troops. He raised a wing in a mixture of salute and benediction on the crowd. No words were spoken as they waited for the attack to be called. Finally, after what seemed like hours, a hail of flaming arrows shot from the Bladefeather compound into the Changelings. The gates shot open with the howl of swirling wind, and Gryphons charged out, shrieking as they fell upon the enemy with Grif at their head. The front gates rolled up, and the soldiers, including the small group of Arabian stallions, charged into the mass of black chitin. A war cry sounded as the clash of metal and swords on toughened armor rang through the skies. The Changelings didn’t flinch. The Changelings didn’t care. It wasn’t their purpose to care. It was their purpose to fight for their queen, and fight they would, according to her orders and will. Initially the charges seemed to be working. The Gryphon forces cut through the swarm like locusts through a field, and the forces from New Unity were spiking forward towards the point where both armies would meet, but the initial momentum began to wane as the Changelings doubled their charge. The larger Gryphon soldiers used their battle axes and great spears to cut through Changelings like chaff blown by the wind, but where one fell, ten more would rise in its place. Silver spear quickly found his troops cut off from the main charge, and surrounded on all sides. Oddly, the Saddle Arabians appeared to be faring the best. Their curved falchions and scimitars seemed to be ideal for cutting down the hordes of enemies. Even with his troops cut off, Silver Spear maintained composure and command, rallying them to form into defensive positions. Up on the castle wall, Pensword watched as the attack continued. He got the impression of watching white blood cells attacking an infection, and foreign bodies. Unfortunately, this particular strain was virulent, and the white blood cells would likely be overwhelmed, if something were not done soon. He ground his teeth as he fought against the urge to join the battle. The Changelings had circled round to cut off any hopes of an escape route. The bridge, the compound, the gatehouse, all no longer viable. Silver Spear’s copper coat shone defiantly as it reflected the moon beneath his armor, but he appeared to be slowing. Pensword frowned. He’d been through enough action to know what that meant. He grit his teeth as he struggled with his conscience. To go out and join the fray might provide a distraction. He had been the one to disrupt the hive in the first place, when he used the crossbow bolt, and he had been a hunter of Changelings when the war had ended in the first place. They would not have forgotten that. At the same time, without his command, the defenses might fall apart. There just weren’t enough trained personnel left. He slammed his forehoof on the stone in frustration, and for the first time in a very long time, he swore. “Damn it.” Silver Spear fought like a lion, with spells blazing from his focus as he struck at his enemies. The silver spear tip had been thoroughly coated in the thick green substance that was the Changelings’ insides. But like it or not, he knew he couldn’t keep this up forever. He felt the blood trickling from the wounds as they opened again, but did his best to pay them no mind. Taze had mentioned a death like this once. An ancient civilization’s method of execution. If he recalled correctly, it had been called death by a thousand cuts. How ironic that he could be facing such a death soon. He chuckled, even as he thrust his focus through another Changeling’s head with a loud crunch. Shield spells helped to guard his rear, but he was careful not to use them too often, and only in key portions of his body. To hold up such a spell for too long would only drain his reserves faster. Suddenly, he felt something tackle him from behind. He stumbled, and a general outcry sounded from behind as the Changelings’ ferocity intensified. In a matter of moments, he had been completely cut off from his troops, and the gap was growing. “Stick to the plan!” he roared. “Join Grif and his warriors! Go!” These Changelings may well take him down, but he’d kill as many as he could, before they did. His troops wavered a few moments in indecision, but, at last, they honored his last command. He smiled as he saw them join with the Gryphons from the compound, even as he decapitated another three Changelings. As the swarm added more to their focus on him, the column faded from sight. It didn’t matter, though. They had made it. They had a chance. He’d fulfilled his duty, and brought true honor to his house’s name. He laughed, despite himself, as he returned to his work. His magic reserves were practically depleted. He could feel the shield spells weakening. It was only a matter of time now. He felt the weight increase on his back, and knew that they had sensed his weakness. He bucked, dislodging his unwelcome passenger, but more came to take the drone’s place. He was too weak to magic them off, and he panted heavily as he clung to his focus. Still, he fought on, even as his blows grew weaker and weaker. His legs felt like jelly. The weight on his back increased as more Changelings dove and piled on, doing their best to immobilize him. Something thick and wet slapped onto his horn, causing his neck to strain. A green gob of Changeling mucus dripped into sight, and he knew his time was short. Then he heard and felt as his protective spells shattered, and Changeling fangs pierced the flesh on his neck. At the same time, he felt a horn pierce his side. He coughed, and his eyes widened as the shock began to set in. His focus clattered to the ground, and his body soon followed. He heard a muffled cry, followed by a crack and a crunch, but whether it was his own armor or something else, he couldn’t tell as his senses dulled. He reached up weakly at a drone with narrowed, glowing green eyes, barely even touching its muzzle as the world swam around him. Finally, the blackness began to seep in. “I’m . . . sorry, everypony,” he gasped as he fell into the abyss, and color was slowly ripped away. He could do no more. His time on Equis was done. He hoped that Faust would have mercy on him, and that his family would be able to deal with the loss. Disappointment or not, Silver Spear had fought to protect the ones he loved, and that included Baron Sharp Spear. “Father,” he whispered as a final farewell. Then he let go. Somewhere off in Canterlot, Baron Sharp Spear stiffened, and his body shuddered. A single tear rolled inexplicably down his cheek. He swiftly wiped it away as he stared moodily into the flames. He fiddled with his hooves, then tried smoking his pipe, only to feel more restless as the hours passed. He snarled in aggravation as he hurled the pipe into the fireplace, and stomped to his hooves. “Silver Bell!” he shouted. The timid maid trotted meekly into the room. “Yes, m’lord?” “Pack my things. I’m going on a journey.” “Where to, m’lord?” “New Unity.” He narrowed his eyes. “There are some things I need to make sure have been properly settled.” Twilight panted from her place on the field as sweat poured down her flanks. A series of minor cuts and bruises had formed over the last few days of fighting. For a mare that had been out of practice for so long, Celestia had proved incredibly inventive in blocking and evading Twilight’s strikes. First it was the test of defense. A few flicks, a casual blow there, just to see what she was up against. Then the fight came in earnest. Well, it did for Twilight. Celestia was too busy drinking tea, and reading Equestria Daily. Even as Twilight rained blow after blow, Celestia blocked with her sword with practiced ease. She’d even gone so far as to flick it in just the right way to blind the new princess before knocking her on the head with the hilt. The next game to come was the game of teleports as Twilight tried to throw Celestia off with multiple angle strikes. Celestia simply countered this as she went through her appointed yoga session. A mare had to work off her stress somehow, after all, and the meditation proved wondrous for her overall health and well being. When Twilight had managed to get past the sword’s guard, Celestia simply rose to balance on a single hind leg as she brought her forehooves together. In one smooth motion, she’d grabbed Twilight’s focus with both hooves, and used the momentum of the strike to fling Twilight all the way up and over the battlements and through the clouds. “Namaste,” Celestia sighed. Ever the glutton for punishment, Twilight had continued her assaults and tests, even as Celestia enjoyed her tea, cake, and other assortment of relaxation techniques. After another bout, Twilight growled in frustration as she slid back on the turf. The gems on her focus glowed like stars as she channeled her magic into them. Then she sighed and slowly lowered the tip in the universal signal for a respite, as the rules of combat allow, granted the opposing party is willing to give their consent. Celestia nodded in approval, and Twilight promptly collapsed. “Tea?” Celestia offered as she levitated a cup. “Thanks,” Twilight said begrudgingly as she took the cup, and drank its contents. “You know, Twilight, I’m impressed. Your form is actually very good for a mare your age. Why, I’d even wager you could give your brother a run for his money, and that’s saying something, believe you me. Cake?” She levitated a piece of the revolutionary death by chocolate. Twilight took it in her magical aura, and then levitated a fork to take a bite. “Then why can’t I hit you?” “Twilight, you’ve only had about a year’s worth of experience, if that. And even though you’ve been trained by Clover, that doesn’t mean you’re able to take on a bigger, more experienced opponent yet. “Don’t forget I was trained by Hammer Strike, and while it’s been a few centuries since I seriously fought anyone, that doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten that training. If you think I’m hard to fight, you should see Luna. That fight that nearly broke Canterlot wasn’t even her full strength. Both she and Hammer Strike were holding back. When I say Luna was born to fight, I don’t mean it as a compliment. She was literally bred for it. That’s why she’s always so at home on the battlefield.” “But . . . but. . . .” Twilight sniffled. “I want to help.” “I know, Twilight, but you’re not ready yet. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.” With that, Celestia flashed an almost devious grin. “However, it has occurred to me that in the lifestyle of a scholar, you have left your physical training neglected. If you truly wish to follow the path of the battlemage, then we must work on sculpting your body into the proper structure for such pursuits. You can’t rely on teleportation and spells to do everything on the battlefield. It’s my understanding that Rarity has started a rather rigorous exercise routine since Grif started tutoring her in the ways of the blade. Get a copy from her, and then send it to me. I’ll make the necessary adjustments. If you really intend to pursue this path, then we will fit you for it. Also, see if Rarity can come up with a suitable battle robe for you. Then you’ll proceed to train with it on every day. Will you accept these conditions twilight?” Twilight sighed. “Do I really have a choice?” Then, in a manner very reminiscent of an overstressed Celestia, she took a gigantic bite from her plate, clearing half the chocolate slice in one swallow. “When I took you as my pupil, I promised you the very best education I could give. However, it seems that in my quest to be nurturing, there are some things that I left neglected. But don’t worry, Twilight. That will soon change.” Celestia’s demeanor shifted dramatically. Her form appeared nearly ten feet tall to Twilight, and her eyes seemed to glow maliciously. “I’ve never lied to you, Twilight, and I promise that before this year is over, you will find new definitions for pain and tired the likes of which you have yet to discover.” In an instant the visage melted away as Celestia held the teapot up. “Refill?” she asked sweetly. “I . . . don’t . . . know?” Hammer Strike had been fighting for four days and twenty hours. The flames from the initial fire storm he and Grif had unleashed still licked at some of the trees and other plant life. The shadows writhed, almost as if they were alive. He could hear the Changelings hiding in the shadows, and dealt with each accordingly as they sought to kill him. At this stage in the game, only he, Luna, and Clover were really necessary. The other troops had done their jobs well, providing just the distraction they needed to get past the bulk of Chrysalis’s defenses. The clouds and weather in the Everfree had prevented any sunlight from getting through. Only a light gray filtered in, which rapidly gave way to the darkness as night fell upon the forest. Hammer Strike attacked a large hedge that must have been growing there for hundreds of years to reveal a swarm of drones much larger and more spiny than the previous drones he had encountered. They reminded him of the brute he’d attacked so long ago at Shining Armor’s wedding, when he slid underneath to cut its belly open, so he could gain access to their room in the castle. A line of unusually large drones stood in rank and file behind the hundred or so brutes. Their platting was thicker, more protective, and they had larger fangs. Even their hooves had spines on them, most likely for stealth kills and assassinations. In short, these looked like elite troops. Behind them, the trees had been draped in strings of glowing green goo that looked like a mix between spanish moss and spider webs. Beyond that, in the darkness of the trees, pulshed a sickly green color. This information snapped through Hammer Strike’s brain, even as he brought up a hoof to stop one of the brute’s charges. Had it been anypony else, they would have easily overpowered them, but Hammer Strike was angry. Chrysalis and her troops had taken innocent lives, maimed and laid up hundreds of his troops. Some might not even survive thanks to her ridiculous desire for revenge. This creature didn’t deserve mercy. She deserved to burn. Guided only by his rage, and in a swirl of motion, he reached into his coat, and retrieved a large two-handed battle axe. The haft was as large as a spear’s, and the head held a single savage-looking blade with intricate engravings , granting it the appearance of a large dane axe. The first swing sent two Changelings sprawling to the ground. One lost its left wing, and the other it’s right leg. Rolling the haft in his backswing, Hammer Strike flipped the head’s direction, and proceeded to decapitate two more Changelings, while the blade cut the throat of a third that was farther back. Hammer Strike let the axe’s weight guide it as he unleashed several brutal swings that cut the charging swarm down, his strength making the resistance of their chitin feel like little more than cutting through leather. Hammer Strike didn’t even notice when the head snapped off the wooden haft as the blade sunk into the final Changeling’s neck. He paid little attention to the bodies and wounded around him as a wave of fire swam outwards from his body, and rendered the corpses to ash. He merely stood before the entrance to Chrysalis’s command post and let loose his challenge. “Come now, Chrysalis! Are you going to just hide like a coward, rather than face me?” Hammer Strike got no answer, but he could hear himself being surrounded as the brutes all tried to attack him at once. He heard their heavy breathing, their thick hooves churning the forest earth. “So, that is how it is to be, then.” This time, Hammer Strike produced a spiked warhammer. The next few minutes were filled with the sound of metal crunching chitin and ripping tendons. The air filled with the smell of changeling blood as Hammer Strike brought his attackers down again and again, until he stood amongst the corpses, their green blood bubbling around him. He barely got a breather as more Changelings started to pour in from the woods from the left, right, and behind him. They were attacking a lot harder than before. His lips curled up into a smile as he let loose a grim chuckle. “Must be in the right place.” While Chrysalis ordered more troops to attack Hammer Strike, and seal up the path he had created, she busily instructed others in her command post. Sleds and larger Changelings meant to carry smaller Changelings were being formed up. In the middle, Pupa looked around with a strange blend of curiosity and worry. The rear had shrunk as she pulled more drones from the back to try and force more advances. With this many soldiers, it was only a matter of time before the defenses fell but at the same time, it had weakened her own, and now Hammer Strike stood at her doorstep. She had to make sure the little one was safe. She made sure that some of the animal carcusses were tied to other carrying drones to make it look like a simple animal shipment for hive analysis. So far, no ponies had attacked the rear. They didn’t have the forces to spare with how hard she’d pressed them at their fortifications. Even that little attempt to break through the forest line had been repelled. Pupa responded with a detached air. No further instructions were needed. The convoy left, all of them disguised like drones, either hurt, or acting like guards. She turned around and yanked control of one of the rear Changelings in the battle against Hammer Strike. “What do you want, ‘Lord’ Strike?” Her tone was playful and taunting. “What does the forever dying want this time?” “Oh, plenty of things.” Hammer Strike chuckled. “But, for now, I’m thinking of your head on a pike.” “I’m afraid I’m somewhat attached to my head,” she said flatly. “I’m sure I can help you part ways with it.” “I think I’ll just take yours, instead.” “Many have tried, and all have failed, Chrysalis. I’ll add your name to the list, though.” “We’ll see,” she sneered. “Give me a half hour, and I will meet you on the battlefield. No tricks, no guards. It will be just you and me. If you’re so eager to end your life, I’ll gladly oblige you.” “Bring it.” Hammer Strike tossed the hammer away idly as he turned to make his way to the tree line. “I’ll see you outside New Unity.” Reaching into his coat, he pulled out something very special. The flail had a sturdy steel chain that connected to a much larger weight covered in dozens of needle-sharp spikes. “Be prepared. I won’t go easy on you.” True to her word, Chrysalis arrived a half hour later. Using the love from the hive, she had thickened her chitin to give her better defense against Hammer Strike’s blows, giving her a slightly more hulking appearance. The two locked eyes, but no words were heard. Chrysalis stood with her horn glowing, Hammer Strike stood with the flail spinning rapidly above his head as he held it in one hoof. Then, on some unspoken signal, the two charged. When they met, Hammer Strike brought the flail down hard on Chrysalis's shoulder with a loud crunch and a spray of blood as chitin cracked under the impact. However, the close range weapon left Hammer Strike open, and Chrysalis released a blast of magic that sent him flying. She teleported in front of him, only to be met with another swing from the mace. This time, it dug into her flank. New cracks spidered on her armor and began oozing green. Hammer Strike pulled back savagely, and the mace tore flesh with it as it released its hold. The chain and ball began to steam as he twirled around and landed another blow. This time, the cracking chitin and blood was accompanied by the sound of sizzling flesh. Chrysalis cried out in pain. On reflex, she grabbed hammer Strike, and threw him skyward. With that momentary reprieve to regain her senses, the Changeling queen teleported above Hammer Strike’s rising body, then conjured a wall of pure magical force and slammed it down with all her might, sending Hammer Strike careening towards the ground at at startling speed. He landed a hundred yards away with a loud boom as dust and dirt shot into the air. As the dust and debris cleared, Hammer Strike found himself struggling to get to his hooves. He soon found the reason why as he noticed his left shoulder migrating downwards. With a growl, he dropped his mace, and, in one swift motion, wrenched the arm back into place with a sickening pop. He heard the humming of chrysalis’s approach without even lifting his head to see, and ducked, swiping his mace in the process, and striking with a blow that sent the Changeling queen flying out of her control. Without giving her a chance to recover he gathered what power he had left, and sent a fresh stream of flames towards her. The flames missed their target, but the blast of heat shriveled her wings, rendering her earthbound. Chrysalis heard several unsettling pops as she stood up. Her body cried out in anguish, and the loss of her wings made for a devastating tactical blow. SHe looked desperately for anything she might be able to utilize as an advantage. Her eyes settled on a discarded spear lying on the battlefield. She swiped hastily it in her magic, and braced for the blows to come. Hammer Strike charged her with a heavy swing, only for her to throw the spear haft up at the last second, catching the chain, and wrenching the weapon from Hammer Strike’s grasp. She gave a haughty laugh, only to be met with a hard right cross. Hammer Strike rained blow after blow, using only his hooves to force the Changeling queen to give ground. For the next hour, the soldiers of the Bladefeather compound and New Unity watched the fight, hoping against hope that an end to this hell might be in sight. The battlefield became more unrecognizable as magic and fire clashed in a primal battle powered by unfettered rage. Hammer Strike was stronger in body, but he was tired, and his reserves were low. Chrysalis was the superior in magic, but she had sustained far too much physical damage. Her whole body ached, and she could feel how much blood she had lost. It was almost noon the following day when Chrysalis made her fatal mistake. In desperation, she had taken hold of Hammer Strike’s tail with magic, and thrown him with all the strength the hive could afford to lend her. The second before her release, Hammer strike’s hooves wrapped around her back leg. As a result, the two went flying towards New Unity with frightening speed. Hammer Strike didn’t even think about it as he flipped himself over in the air, and, using the additional force, threw Chrysalis with everything he had. The Changeling Queen’s body took off with so much force that it formed a mach cone around her as it shattered through the barrier. The shield proceeded to take off much of the force. Unfortunately for Chrysalis, one of the stained glass windows in the castle took off the rest, before she slammed down into the great hall, skidded across the floor, and collided with Celestia’s former throne. The force from the impact proceeded to break the chair’s back with a mighty crack, leaving the Changeling queen sprawled out on the now-backless stone seat. Seconds later, Hammer Strike landed on the hard stone floor, just past the stained glass window’s remains. He took several breaths as he made his way towards Chrysalis, grabbing hold of a large shard of the stained glass window in the process. “What are you doing?” Chrysalis snarled. She tried to get up, only for her eyes to widen with horror as she realized her legs wouldn’t respond. That blow had broken much more than just the throne. Hammer Strike didn’t respond as he drew closer, knowing full well what he had heard on impact. A snarl grew on his face as he loomed over her. The Changeling queen stared up at him. For the first time, she felt genuine fear raging through her system. Hammer Strike didn’t say anything as he stood on his hind legs. He raised the shard like he would a dagger as his snarl twisted into a wicked grin. He slammed the shard home, cleaving through flesh and bone, until the glass shattered in his hooves. Chrysalis’ head had separated, and was busy rolling off along the floor. Hammer Strike let out a faint chuckle, before he sighed, and took a few breaths. He was tired. So incredibly tired. “Hammer Strike!” Clover burst into the throne room. “What did you do? The changelings just–.” She broke off as she saw the corpse. Blast and Tower Shield barreled in behind her. “My lor–.” They spotted Chrysalis, the trail of vivid green blood, and then her head. “By Sleipnir's beard!” Blast exclaimed. “Clover,” Hammer Strike said between breaths. “What is happening with the changelings?” “They’ve stopped. They’re just standing there doing nothing, like they’ve been stunned or something.” Hammer Strike chuckled. “Good. That’ll make them easier to finish off,” he said as he took a few steps away from Chrysalis’ corpse. “Should we drag this body away to be burned, my lord?” Blast Shield asked. “Burn the body, but the head is to be mounted on a pike. Let them know how far we have come.” “It will be done.” Tower nodded, and the two ran off. “So, then, I suppose you should find some place to rest.” Clover chuckled. “Lord Hammer Strike, Queenslayer.” “Add it to the list of titles I’ll never use.” Hammer Strike rolled his eyes. “I . . . I think I might actually take your advice this time, Clover. Possibly even get some medical treatment.” “You head to your rooms. I’ll have some healers sent down to you. As for myself, I have some cleaning that needs doing.” Without another word, Clover left the room. Pensword stood in the fields outside the walls. The charred remains of the Thestral quarters they had built lay around him in scattered disarray. What few troops were still able to fight stood before him in an organized manner. Their mission had been clear: clear a path to reach Chrysalis’ former command post, and capture anything important, along with any evidence or clues to guide them to the offensive hive’s true location. He looked at the two Unicorns, three Thestrals, one Pegasus, and three Earth Ponies pulling the carts behind. “We have our orders. Clear a path, and attack any Changelings that get in our way. We need to secure Chrysalis’ base, take what we need, and destroy what we can.” The troops saluted with their spears and they moved on their way. It was unnerving how silent the forest had become with the death of the Changeling queen. Even the crackling of flames had finally died out it. Once in awhile, a whisper of wind would tease their ears and manes, but nothing else really stirred. After about thirty minutes, they began to relax, and took a faster pace. The Changelings in the field were breaking away from their fellows out of self preservation, after the majority of their forces had been cleared. Some even tried to attack them, but most of them were lost and disorganized. Without a major mind to guide them, their unity was shattered, and that made them easy pickings. He noticed at least three times where small packs of Changelings had formed to attack others. More often than not, there was a captain or some other commanding link from the hive mind directing them. Those were taken out right away. He didn’t want any rabid changelings around. The creaking of the wheels sounded louder as they rolled over exposed roots. The scars of the battle surrounded them. All heads and ears swiveled to scan the environment for any potential hostile forces. That silence was broken by the sound of a twig snapping. He motioned to a Thestral and Pegasus to follow, and they took off to the location. They finally came across a group of Changelings in the middle of what looked like a transit order of some kind. With their queen’s mind gone, they moved more jerkily, and with less coordination. It would seem that without their queen to guide them, they were struggling over what to do next. Pensword’s keen eyes soon caught that something wasn’t quite right. One of the Changeling drones had a brighter shine to its chitin, for one. The other was its distinct lack of jerkiness. This drone was almost calm compared to the others. Its eyes sparked every once in awhile, and as they did, the jerky movements intensified. He narrowed his eyes suspiciously, and held up a wing blade. The clouds had finally parted, letting the sun shine on the weapons to emphasize just how deadly they were. “Stay,” he ordered as he approached the Changeling. The closer he drew, the more nervous the Changeling looked as its eyes darted left, right, anywhere it might find an escape route. Then it assessed the other troops, and its wings stopped twitching as they retracted. Pensword continued to press forward. The little creature cringed, and that gave Pensword pause. He hadn’t seen a Changeling this independent without some form of guidance since Me-Me and Mutatio. Could it be? Was it possible? He decided to experiment. He pointed the tip of his wing blades at the ling. “Yield,” he commanded. The changeling cowered, shaking in panic as it backed away slowly. The other drones buzzed angrily as they prepared to defend the younger one, only for them to be decapitated or otherwise destroyed by the other soldiers. “Stop, or you will die,” Pensword barked. A moment later, two Unicorns teleported in to cut her off, and the two flyers flew to overhead, just incase. Pensword continued his grim advance. She was surrounded now, and that meant she could be dangerous. The changeling said nothing as it continued to cower. It frame trembled, then almost seemed to vibrate as the flames rose up around it. In a matter of seconds, the Changeling’s true form revealed itself, even as its hooves remained over its eyes. It sniffled, doing its best to hold back the tears building behind those eyes. She looked much more like a Pony than her fellows, and had a smooth, silky green mane and tail. Her smooth chitin glimmered in the light, reminding Pensword of a younger Chrysalis. When she peeked out from behind her hooves, he saw her eyes. They were green, much like when Chrysalis used her magic, but they were softer than that, and despite her best efforts, tears poured out from them. She looked utterly terrified. If this particular Changeling was anything like Me-Me, then she must have been feeling terror for the first time. Her translucent wings hung limply at her side. Pensword snapped his wings open, and the two flyers landed. “Judging by your general appearance, I am going to assume that you are a princess. Surrender, and you will remain unharmed. Do not surrender, and I will personally run you through, and leave your body for the forest to eat.” The changeling just stared with wide eyes as its shaking increased. He turned to one of the Thestrals. “Get Me-Me. Tell her what we’ve found. I want a translator, or some means of getting into her head to communicate with her.” The Thestral snapped a wing in salute, took off into the air, and headed back towards the fortress. “You will stay right there,” Pensword instructed the princess. “Don’t change forms either.” The Changeling continued to stare as the tears ran down her cheeks, and Pensword finally realized something. He immediately proceeded to smack his forehead with a wing. “Move your head up and down, if you understand me.” She just whimpered as she stared at the imposing figures, and the dead troops that she had just watched get killed. Pensword sighed. “At ease, soldiers. We don’t want to startle her any more than she already has been. Keep up your guard, but make sure to be as calm and non-threatening as you can.” The troops nodded, and proceeded to grab rations and other items from their wagons, then settled down to wait. Some dozed, and Pensword wouldn’t blame them this time around. The last few days has been a true test of their mettle and stamina. They had earned their rest. Fifteen minutes later, Pensword rose to his hooves as he heard the sound of buzzing wings. He dusted off his armor, and ordered the troops to do the same as the buzzing drew closer. The Changeling was shaking so hard now that her chitin literally clanked like shattering teeth. “Where is she?” a familiar voice spoke as Me-Me landed in the clearing, flanked by a full squadron of eight praetorians. Pensword was shocked as he pointed to his left and the shaking Princess. “Miss Chihuahua is over there, Me-Me, but, if you don’t mind my asking, why are you here?” “Don’t say that,” Me-Me snapped as she approached the princess. The praetorians swiftly formed up a line between the Ponies and the two Changelings. Me-me said nothing as she approached, but judging by how their eyes flickered, Pensword guessed they were communicating telepathically. Me-Me wrapped her legs gently around the Changeling. Then she buzzed her wings and rubbed a hoof down the girl’s back. “Do not interfere,” Pensword ordered. “I think this is a Changeling thing.” He idly wondered how many times he would see things no other Pony had seen about Changelings, before his time on this world was over. He carefully approached one of the praetorians, and cleared his throat. “When they are free, could you ask one of your hive members to write a book on how to deal with situations like this? It might prove useful to both our kingdoms in the event that something like this should happen again.” “Do you enjoy brandishing your sword to children?” one of the praetorians asked. Venom practically dripped from his voice as he glared. Pensword looked at the princess, then to the Praetorian. “You are telling me that this Changeling, who looks like a fully grown mare, is a child?” he asked in stunned disbelief. “What would a child be doing on the battlefield?” Me-Me sighed as she turned her head to face Pensword, even while she continued to stroke the young Changeling’s mane. “My sister Pupa was hatched two years ago, Pensword. Her growth is slow for our species, because a queen should learn to rule. I was an abnormality, because you and your friends gave me chocolate. It takes decades for a queen to grow to maturity under normal circumstances.” Me-me’s voice was distant for the first time since she’d warmed up to them, and it pained Pensword to know that he was responsible for causing such tension. “By hive standards, mentally, she’s only about as old as your daughter looks to be.” Pensword sighed and shook his head. “I’m so sorry, Me-Me. I did not know.” He looked to his troops, and called them to attention. “Prepare to fall out. Follow your orders. The Everfree Hive has this under control.” He looked back to the Changelings. “I have caused you all enough trouble today, and I am sorry for it. Please let Pupa know that I apologize as well. When I realized she couldn’t understand us, I tried to keep things as calm as possible. If I’d known what I do now, I would have done things differently.” The expressions on the praetorians’ faces softened as they felt Pensword’s disgust with himself. He didn't know what kind of pain was being shared, but he didn’t want to cause any more of it. “I’ll take her back to the hive,” Me-Me said. “Perhaps some royal jelly will help to sooth her.” Another pang of guilt stabbed at Pensword’s heart as he recalled the way they had dispatched those guards in front of Pupa. He nodded his head, and looked to the Princess. “My apologies,” he said, before turning around, and barking orders at his troops. They immediately filed up, and began to leave. As he walked to the head of the column, he discovered another emotion growing as he gave one last look back at the Changelings, a solemn determination to protect this new princess. If what Me-Me said was true, then Pupa was just like his daughter. He wouldn’t let an innocent be hurt if he could help it. Me-Me smiled kindly as she picked Pupa up and set her on her back. Perhaps there was hope for Ponies yet. Then she spread her wings and nodded to her entourage, before they took off to return to the hive. While the Ponies worked to reclaim the dead and sort them out, the Gryphons formed smaller warbands which made their way across the field to kill any changelings who were still alive, before they could recover or go feral. The work was gory and long, and both groups required several trade-offs as time went on. The Changeling carcasses were piled up nearby in the ghastly gorge, and burned. The casualty list was staggering, and it seemed to grow longer with every return shift. Gryphons, Ponies, even Changelings from Me-Me’s hive were retrieved and arranged, before being given the rites that each demanded to be laid to rest. The changelings had fought admirably, but as Me-Me had informed them, there were no rites for the empty shells left behind when drones died, so the Thestrals, Pegasi, and Gryphons took it upon themselves to give the drones a warrior's funeral in the fashion of their races. It seemed only fair when they had given so much to protect New Unity and Ponyville. Four hours into the latest shift, Grif landed in the courtyard with a figure draped over his shoulder. “Medic! Medic! We’ve got a live one! How, I have no idea, but by some miracle, this Unicorn’s still breathing!” Pensword was getting ready to head out on the next group, but froze when he saw the figure on Grif’s back. Even as the medics raced forward, he felt a familiar pit opening up in his stomach. He stepped forward, and drew the silver streaks back from the bloody coat. He braced himself as he ran his hoof down to the fighter’s flank, and found the telltale mark of a spear placed over a shield. Ice picked Pensword’ heart. Why did death always have to take the good leaders first? The Unicorn was taken off Grif’s back, and Pensword wept as he took in the full extent of the damages. Silver Spear’s horn was gone. All that remained was a jagged stump and the dangling remains of the carbuncle’s roots. A silver ichor ran down from the spot and coagulated with the blood. The copper of his coat had been dyed crimson. His front left foreleg was just a stump, and his tail was gone. His mane had been torn out in several places, leaving more bloody patches to complement the deep lacerations on his side. Yet despite all this, he was still breathing faintly. Pensword looked around as he helped with rags and various healing salves, doing his best to clean and disinfect the wounds. He didn’t know what they could do, and he didn’t want get his hopes up too high, but by Faust, he didn’t want to lose him either. “Silver, you stay with me, okay? We need you here,” he said, before he glared up at the sky. “Silver stays. Do you hear me? Silver stays!” His rage flared. and he was already thinking of ways to take the battle to Chrysalis’ hive. This wasn’t a simple skirmish anymore. Now it was personal. This had become outright war. “Sir.” That word cut through the haze, and Pensword was immediately drawn back to the present. “I’m sorry, Sir, but no magic can heal these wounds. Not when they’re this extensive,” the medic said as he shook his head. “T-there’s not much we can do, except maybe make him comfortable.” “I know that,” Pensword snapped. The medic recoiled, and Pensword sighed. “I’m sorry. This is just . . . difficult for me to take in. He . . . he was one of the best recruits we ever had.” His voice choked as he struggled to hold the tears back. It didn’t help that he was carrying enough guilt for two people. Matthew was second guessing himself, regretting the decision to convince Silver Spear to stay. Pensword was struggling with the guilt of having to explain these deaths to the families of the fallen. He had hoped not to have to worry about such things in this day and age, but it would appear fate had other plans. On top of that guilt was the guilt of hiding facts from Matthew, until he was ready to take them. He sighed. Nearly half the troops he had trained as a human had died in the battle. He wasn’t sure Matthew could handle that weight just yet. “Keep him comfortable.” Preston approached, looking sadly on Silver Spear, when he suddenly stiffened. His eyes glowed, and he opened his mouth. “We can save him,” Me-Me’s voice echoed. Pensword turned to look at Preston, then turned to the medics. “Keep him comfortable, but keep him stable.” He motioned then for Preston to follow him. They found themselves in an empty room on the courtyard’s edge. “Alright, Me-Me. How, exactly, can you save him?” His voice raw and threatened to break. He was more than amazed that Me-Me was willing to help after what had happened so recently with young Pupa. She had every right to refuse, and yet she didn’t. It would seem that mercy and forgiveness were in a bit more abundance in Me-Me’s hive, and he was very grateful for it. “Your DNA isn’t too different from our own. I can put him in a nurturing chamber, and fill it with enough healing fluid and liquid love to regenerate his damage while keeping him stable in a coma.” The two minds didn’t even have to think. “Do it,” Pensword ordered. “Get the doctors.” He took a proffered piece of parchment, quill and inkwell from the Changeling, and hastily wrote out an order. Then he signed it, and pressed it to Preston’s chest. “There. You have my full authority to save Silver Spear. Tell them what needs to be done, and what to expect. If they have any concerns they can take those matters up with me personally.” Preston nodded. “I’ll take it from here, then.” He swiftly presented the order to the medics. Once it had been established that Pensword had given permission, Preston’s eyes flickered as he called out to several drones nearby. They reported in a matter of moments. With a series of quick, synchronized motions, they grabbed Silver Spear, and carted him off. Pensword had more than a few concerns, but if this could prove to be effective, then Me-Me could very well be a lifesaver on the battlefield. As it stood, though, this would be incredibly dangerous, and he would have to face a great deal of scrutiny, but if there was even a chance, he had to take it. If anyone could do it, Me-Me could. He exited, and was promptly besieged by doctors and nurses. When he finally got them to quiet down, he addressed them. “If Hammer Strike could beat Death, then I’d better try my wing at saving my own men when I can.” The future hinged now on just what would come from this one choice. “I won’t take any more objections. They will be noted in the record, and I will accept full responsibility for my actions should Silver Spear or his family seek legal recourse.” The staff grumbled, but grudgingly agreed. The deed had already been done anyways, and none of them knew where Me-Me’s hive was located. As he walked away, he stared up at the sky, and sighed. “Faust, I hope I know what I’m doing.” Hammer Strike couldn’t help but groan as he rolled his shoulders. He needed to rest, but the work wasn’t done. Chrysalis had dug tunnels all the way to the Everfree Forest, and he was determined to seal them. Still, for now, he needed a little break. He rested in the throne room as he looked at the medics scurrying around with their patients. The infirmary was too overstocked, so the extras had to be put in the throne room to join him. He just needed a moment to catch his breath. Then he would make his way to the tunnels. Yeah, just a minute. . . . Or now. He didn’t want to delay himself. . . . But, resting did sound good. He stood from his seat, and moved towards the door, determined not to let his injuries get the better of him. A bright flash of light nearly blinded Hammer Strike as three sets of hooves clopped onto the smooth stones of the castle hall. “I understand your connection to the sun, and light, and all that, but must every teleport involve a blindingly bright light right in my eyes, Celestia?” Hammer Strike questioned aloud as he rubbed his eyes. “In a word, yes,” Celestia said. “You’ll learn the reason later down the road.” “Time and all that nonsense,” Hammer Strike groaned. “Got it.” He blinked owlishly a few times, then looked to the trio in front of him. “Is everyone all right?” Vital Spark asked with concern. “I would’ve come, but . . . well, I think we all know I would’ve just been in the way.” He scuffed a hoof absently on the floor. “Casualty count is not low,” Hammer Strike replied simply as he continued walking. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go cave in some tunnels.” “In your condition? Hammer Strike, you should rest. I’ve never seen you look tired before, but you actually look tired now,” Twilight protested. “I will not rest until this is done with,” Hammer Strike nearly growled out. “Then at least take someone with you,” Celestia said. “Why not Vital Spark? It seems he’s one of the only ones you actually take a moment to listen to. Mother knows why.” Hammer Strike sighed. “Fine. I need to talk with him anyways.” He directed his gaze over to Vital. “Come now. We have tunnels to seal.” Vital Spark sighed. “And a long talk, right?” “Correct,” Hammer Strike said as he continued on his path out of the castle. “Vital Spark!” Clover’s voice shouted amongst the crowd. The old mare showed surprising speed as she ran up and promptly embraced him. “You came back!” A moment later, she let go, stepped back, and hit him across the face “Where were you?” Then she hugged him again. “I’m so glad you’re okay.” “Okay. First off, I missed you, too. Secondly, ouch. Thirdly, I’m . . . glad you’re okay, too? What happened? I know there was a fight. Celestia and I stayed behind with Twilight in Canterlot and Ponyville.” “We were attacked by a hundred thousand Changelings,” Clover said as she rubbed her eyes. It was then that Vital Spark realized just how tired she looked. Her eyes were pink from lack of sleep, and her mane was frazzled and worn. “They just kept coming in droves. Between the fighting, and holding up the shield, it’s been a draining few days.” “You should get some rest,” he noted. “Your bags have bags.” “I was just heading in. The last of the Changeling corpses are heading to the gorge to be burned.” She yawned. “And the horses and Kitsune have agreed to keep up guard while the rest of us get some sleep.” Vital’s eyes widened, and his nostrils flared slightly. “Where . . . exactly in the gorge, Clover?” “Close enough to carry them, but far enough away to keep the smell away from here and Ponyville,” she said. ”Oh, okay.” Vital chuckled. “Sorry, I thought you were talking about the gorge next to the castle.” “That would be unsanitary, and the area would reek for weeks,” Clover noted. “They smell that bad when they’re burned?” “Bodies usually do.” “Even insectoid ones?” Hammer Strike stood nearby, catching himself nearly tapping his hoof impatiently. “I don’t mean to interrupt, but the tunnels need to be sealed off, before anything uses them again.” Vital Spark blushed. “Oh, yeah . . . right. Heh. Sorry, Clover. I’ll come by your lab later to fill you in on what happened on my end, okay?” “Sure. Sure.” Clover waved a hoof absently as she walked away. “. . . Wow she really is beat.” “You have no idea,” Hammer Strike said. “Shall we?” Hammer Strike led Vital through the forest. As they walked, they could see arrows sticking out of the ground. Whole swaths of forest had been reduced to ash. New impressions and trails had been formed from the dragging and recovery of bodies. The cool, moist, refreshing smell of the forest was overpowered by the scent of burnt woods, scorched earth, and cooked meat. Vital Spark decided it was best not to try to think about what was cooking. Eventually, they passed a large section of cracked boulders, and what appeared to be signs of Greek fire. Finally, they reached the true forest again, and passed into another startling situation. The whole place was eerily silent. The only sound was that of their own hooves trekking through the underbrush. “So, about that talk you wanted to have?” Vital Spark asked. “I’m still trying to think how I want to go about this conversation.” Hammer Strike sighed. “I guess I’ll start simple. Why?” “As in why am I back here?” “Yes. I mean, we made it back home, and Discord promises that it wasn’t an involuntary teleport back.” Vital Spark grimaced. “Promise not to be mad at me?” After a moment, Hammer sighed again. “I promise.” Vital sighed as he dropped his head. “I tripped.” Hammer Strike opened his mouth to respond, before he closed it once again, and shook his head, not choosing to say anything as he continued walking towards the tunnel entrance. “On the plus side, I’ve got guaranteed employment back home. I’m going to become the first ambassador to Equestria.” “I figured that’s how things were going to go,” Hammer replied as he stopped before a large opening in the ground. “We’re here.” “So did you bring a light?” Hammer Strike gave him that same flat stare as his hoof ignited like usual. “You sure you don’t want me to just use my magic, instead? You’ve been pushing yourself for four days.” “I’ve done this countless times. I can keep it up for another month, if needed.” Hammer Strike sighed again as he pressed on into the cave. “Famous last words,” Vital’s voice echoed as they entered the confines of the tunnel’s walls. “Complain all you want. I’ll rest when I’m dead.” Vital sighed, and rolled his eyes as he followed his friend into the blackness. “You know, we really need to work on that whole biting-off-more-than-you-can-chew bit.” “I know my limits. We haven’t hit them just yet.” “You, Sir, are incorrigible.” “And yet you keep trying.” “Would you still love me, if I was any other way?” “I’d probably be happier.” Before Vital could make a response, a voice further in the tunnels echoed around them. “Who’s there? Show yerselves! We’ve had blasted demons running around our tunnels for four days, and we ain’t got a lot of patience for trespassers in our mines.” Hammer Strike stared forward in blank disbelief. “There’s someone else down here?” “And why does it sound like Gimli with a Scottish accent?” Vital Spark asked. “Hey! I don’t sound anything like Gimli! I ain’t no table-waitin’ no-beard! Now shut up an-” It was then that Hammer Strike and Vital Spark came into sight of a small group of shetland Ponies. The dwarfed Ponies all had rough-looking unkempt coats of different earthy colours and tones. Prominent beards hung from their muzzles. Each was dressed in well-made angular armor, and wore single piece open-faced helmets. They were armed with pickaxes, small hammers, and axes – many, many axes. War axes, battle axes, hatchets. They had enough axe blades to deforest the Everfree in a week, but Hammer Strike couldn’t help but notice the leader’s weapon. It was, or had been at one time, a forging hammer. It had been gilded in areas, and set with intricately carved gems, but still as present as the day it was crafted, carved on its face, was a familiar emblem. “By your own beard!” the Pony gasped. Hammer Strike opened his mouth to respond, only to close it. He was at a loss for words. “What?” “You’re him! We always knew you’d return, but we couldn’t be certain when.” The dwarves bowed quickly. “Forgive my harsh words, Sir. All hail the blue lard,” he shouted in his brogue. “What?” “All hail the blue lard!” the other dwarf Ponies shouted in response. “What?”