//------------------------------// // Prologue (edited) // Story: Does it matter if I am a changeling or not? // by General Sparky //------------------------------// This chapter is in first person/(pony?) mostly. Location: The changeling hive, "Sparky, get ready the meeting room." Queen Chrysalis ordered. "May I ask what for, My Queen?" I asked. "To prepare for an invasion of Canterlot. So, get moving." Queen Chrysalis said, while looking at a map of Equestria. "Yes, my Queen." Few minutes later..... "My queen, the meeting Room is ready." I said. "Good." "Generals, report to the meeting room immediately." Queen Chrysalis said through the Hive mind. As Queen Chrysalis walked towards the meeting room, she whispered, "Sparky, come along to. We may need your expertise." 'My expertise? I did not have any as far as I know' I thought. "Yes, My Queen." I said, while a thousand questions run through my head. Location: Meeting Room "Generals, we are gathered here today to prepare an invasion of Canterlot. So, I hope you have done your research well." Queen Chrysalis said, looking at each of her General with a ounce of hope. "My Queen, my scouts reported that the garrison in Canterlot is less than a hundred soldiers." General Mantis confidently said and smiling, hoping to impress the Queen. "My Queen, my scouts have discovered that the garrison is weak due to lack of 'proper' training, usage of old military tactics and that the highest rank is the rank of Captain." General Broken said, hoping that it is considered 'useful information' to the Queen. "Good. General Killer, don't tell me you do not have anything to report." "My Queen, Most of what my scouts have discovered is the same as the other Generals." General Killer replied, when actually he did not do any research. "Good, Sparky, what your view on the situation?" "...M..y view?" I asked timidly, while all the General in the room started to look at me, seeming interested to hear what I have to say. "Yes." Queen Chrysalis assured me. I thought for a while before saying, "Less than hundred soldiers is still soldiers, do not underestimate their power in a battle. If they fight strategically, they would have the same amount of force as a thousand soldiers. Lack of 'proper' training does not mean they do not know how to fight using a spear or their unicorn horns or their pegasus wings. Usage of old military tactics does not mean they would not use unconventional means to fight a battle, especially if it is their capital city. Another point is that despite their highest rank being a Captain, he or she is still an officer, which means he or she still has a pool of soldiers to call in reinforcements." 'I hope that is what she wanted.' I thought. The three Generals looked so stunt as if what I said was not common knowledge to them. "How...?" General Mantis asked but was interrupted by Queen Chrysalis. "I suggest you three to step up your game, before get beaten by a mere private." Queen Chrysalis said, while showing a grin on her face. "Yes, my Queen." The generals said in unison. General Killer even sent me a death glare. Upon seeing his glare, I immediately look down, hoping not to catch other Generals' 'look of hatred'. "Meeting adjourned. Come back in 15 minutes, I need to have a word with the Private." Queen Chrysalis said. The Generals in the room leave upon her order. If one hear closely, General Killer mumbled, "I will kill that private next time." Silence. There was only Queen Chrysalis and me left in the meeting room. I slowly turned to face my Queen. 'What is she going to talk about?' I thought. "You know with your skills you could have easily outranked those three fools outside." Queen Chrysalis said, while walking closer to me. "I am not sure if I want to." I replied, trying not to look directly into Queen Chrysalis eyes. "Are you sure?" Queen Chrysalis asked, not expecting that answer from me. "Well, if it means dealing with paperwork, no thanks." I said, a bit more confident this time. I tried to look into Queen Chrysalis eyes and caught her smiling, then out right laughing. I was caught off guard by her sudden laughter so I wondered whether I did something wrong. "Did I say something wrong? I afraid I don't understand the joke here." I asked. Instead Queen Chrysalis laughed even harder. In between her laughter, she mumbled something but I can't hear it. After a while, she stopped laughing and said, "No wonder you are my personal assistance. Trust me, I have not laugh like that for a long time." "Where did you get the idea that officers have a lot of paperwork to do from?" Queen Chrysalis asked. "An officers duty is to plan and authorize operations, lead troops in front line combat and includes the enormous amount of paperwork to do at least from what I have learned" I replied truthfully. I tried to smile but could not bring myself to. "That is not true in this hive. So you don't have to worry about that." Queen Chrysalis said, as if it was common knowledge. "Thanks for the offer, my Queen. But I am afraid I have to decline. I am not the kind who can lead changelings into battle. I am more of the planning type." I look at Queen Chrysalis again. She put a hoof up her chin and looks to be thinking about something. "I see. Why not become a military adviser to the hive. That way you do not need to do paperwork and get time to read your fiction storybooks." Queen Chrysalis said and winked at me. "How did you know?" I asked, caught in what I thought to be my highly kept secret. "Ever since you started ordering the first copy, I been monitoring you. It appears that you learn a lot from it as well. I started to order some copies to let my Generals read and the outcome is.... very interesting." Queen Chrysalis said, showing a grin on her face. A few months ago...... "So tell me Generals, what have you learn from the book I asked you all to read." The Generals stared worriedly at each other. "Come on, be honest about it, It is not like I would kill you if you said you hate the book. Just tell me your opinion on it." "The problem my queen is that we do not even understand it." General Mantis said. "What do you mean?" "Well, it is just about some weird creatures using machines to kill each other. Or at least that is what I think the story is about. It is not really clear. The story jumps from one period to the next that I don't understand what in Equestria is it's moral of the story." General Mantis explained. "I see...." Queen Chrysalis said, while thinking to herself, 'How in equestria does Sparky understand this book if my generals already look so confused?' Back to the present "I shall gladly accept the position. Thank you, My Queen." I said, while looking at Queen Chrysalis. "You are very welcome." Queen Chrysalis said while smiling back at me. A few months later...... "My queen, let me get this straight, you will disguise as Princess Cadance and we will attack when you give us the signal." General Mantis said. "Yes, is there a problem?" "No, absolutely not." "Good. It's time to see Canterlot fall into our hooves." Location: Deep beneath the Hive "Do you hear that Sparky? Our Queen has agreed to launch the invasion using what I planned." General killer said. "You fool, your plan will never work." I said. "Really? Cause I am not the changeling tied up and trapped here." General Killer said, bearing a grin on his face and pointing his hooves to the chains I am tied up in. "Just you wait. You will realize the price of having no artillery forces and going into the city without weapons." I said, knowing that he probably do not understand the importance of Artillery. "I will like to see who wins. Let's make a bet, If the plan succeed, I will kill you. If the plan fails, which is unlikely, I may consider releasing you from this underground prison." General Killer said, Looking at me with a look that is ready to kill. "Deal. I hope you succeed with your plan." I said, thinking of the sheer magnitude of the operation. "Thank y.... wait, why would you say that?" General Killer said, looking surprised that his enemy is hoping his plan will work. "I may disagree with your plan, but I don't want to see changelings die due to your mistakes" General Killer simply walk away and mumbled, "Like that will ever happen." I look towards the sky and said, "I wish I could be free one day."