Twilight watched on in pure horror at what was unfolding before her. These changelings were acting like pure savages. They had no self-preservation, or anything resembling an off switch. They were simply monstrous murderers.
She was currently trying to stop any needless deaths, firing laser after laser into the changelings. She had not seen anything like this before in her life. This kind of carnage was unknown to her and her friends. In fact, it was unknown to the Canterlot guards as well, and without Shining to direct them, they were having some trouble pushing back the enemy changelings.
She fired another burst of spells before all the changelings suddenly stopped and began hissing and growling like wild animals afraid of someone wielding a torch.
"Pathetic Equestrians, lesser beasts, and inferior bugs alike! I recommend that you lay down your weapons and give us what we want," a changeling's voice rang out, coming from the wall of shadows.
Twilight and the others looked to the wall as It disappeared. A collective gasp rang out from the crowd.
Standing in the gap was a group of Changelings holding Sandbar, Silverstream, Ocellus, Yona, Gallus, and Smoulder. Knives levitated against each of their throats.
One changeling stood in front of them, a longsword at his side. He was clearly the one who had said it.
Sombra stood off to the side. He gritted his teeth, trying to perhaps suppress himself.
Twilight was shocked. 'How did they-'
Her train of thought was interrupted as, with a roar, the alternate Pharynx rose to his feet and gnashed his teeth with murderous intent.
Overlord Thorax sat on his throne, sharpening his talons on a whetstone, when he heard the voice of one of his soldiers in his mind.
'My Overlord. Pharynx is awake, but I have these pathetic Equestrians on the ropes, and rescuing him is no longer needed. I think you may want to see this."
The Overlord cocked his head at this. An initiate had just contacted him, and piqued his interest. If this was actually interesting, the Initiate might have earned a promotion. If not, the Initiate would die. A win-win in truth.
He did need to get rid of any weak blood in his army anyway.
The Overlord put down his whetstone and the fire in his eyes grew brighter, allowing him to see the situation from the Initiate's eyes.
'You were right, soldier. This is indeed an interesting situation. Although I do need to speak to Pharynx real quick,' the Overlord said. 'And real quick, if you get the chance, give Sombra his just dues.'
'Yes, my lord.'
Celestia took a few steps back as Pharynx closed in on her, the Royal Guard rushing to her side. Two Royal guards tried to get in-between Pharynx and Celestia.
Pharynx responded by grabbing him by the throat and picking the guard up and shoving his blade straight through the guard's chest, before ripping it out and using it as a club to bash the other guard to the ground.
Pharynx tossed the dead guard over his shoulder, but not before he slammed one of his clawed hooves onto the head of the downed guard, killing him as well. He crouched down and began to close in on her. Celestia took a couple steps back and frowned.
"Begone, beast!" she yelled and blasted Pharynx away with a spell.
The Alternate Pharynx was thrown backwards but he caught himself on the floor, his talons digging deep gashes into the ground.
He was about to jump at her again until the flames in his eye increased in luminosity and he growled.
He jumped into the air and opened his wings allowing him to fly over and land next to the Changelings holding the 6 Students.
"And without any further interruptions," the changeling with the longsword said, "I am willing to perform a trade."
He pointed the tip of the longsword at the children. "These gnats… for her." He then pointed to the Alternate Celestia with one of his hooves. "It shouldn't be too bad of a trade. You already have one of her."
The Alternate Celestia was quiet. It was true that they already had one of her, and she had already spread the news of the Overlord. The others might be able to defeat the Overlord.
"Fine," she said, limping forwards.
Everyone turned to her. "What are you doing?" her counterpart asked.
"What I must," she replied slowly as she walked forwards.
"Good," the changeling said. Signaling his men, who tossed all but Ocellus down to them.
"What?" Celestia said before she was punched in the face, and knocked down onto the ground.
Sombra ran up to the changeling. "What do you think you are doing?"
The changeling smiled, as his longsword suddenly burst into flame.
"The Overlord's work," he said, before quickly shoving the blade through Sombra's chest.
The actual Celestia screamed at this, and everyone else once again gasped.
Sombra slowly looked down at the wound. He did not have enough time to turn the area to shadow. The blade had actually wounded him. "W... wha...." he started. He wanted to speak, but the blade in his chest prevented him from stringing a proper sentence together.
Sombra looked back to the changeling, who was smiling. "Enjoy Tartarus," the changeling whispered to him. "The Overlord will never join you there."
The changeling ripped the blade out before he looked over to Ocellus and levitated the changeling nymph over to him.
He pressed the blade against her throat until cyan blood began to slowly leak out.
"This grub is going to be a little more expensive," he said, putting his head right next to hers and licking his fangs.
"This pathetic grub… is going to cost him," he said, pointing his blade at Thorax, who was on the ground bleeding after his little engagement with Sombra.
Thorax looked to the changeling. Fear and confusion in his eyes.
Why would they want him?