One thought raced through Narico's head as he led the soldier changelings to the Royal Guard training grounds. I hope the royal guards aren't too ticked about how outclassed they were. Steel Edge always said that the guards took great pride in their duties. And it was literally just a couple days ago they were locked in combat.
"So we're going to meet with the excuses for guards that we got the drop on during the wedding?" The youngest soldier changeling, a teenager, boasted. "If they want a rematch, they just had to ask! I wouldn't mind wiping the floor with them again!"
One of the elder soldier changelings bonked his younger comrade on the head. "Forgive him my king. He is young and brash. Shall I dismiss him?"
Narico shook his head. "No. In fact, Captain Shining Armor's brought in a group of new guard recruits due to the wedding incident. This could serve as a humbling experience for both hotshots of our respective guards." Sure enough, the group arrived at the training grounds.
"Hey there Narico." Shining Armor greeted. "Looks like you brought out your own personal army." The soldier changelings chuckled at Shining Armor's joke. Namely due to the fact that it was so true. The captain of the guard smiled at the changelings' response. "Care to spare a few of your guys? A lot of the new recruits think they're hot shots and could take them no problem."
Narico nodded. "Sure. We've got a few in need of being taken down a peg. Namely the younger ones." Narico waved over the younger changeling soldiers. "Please try to play nice?" Most of the group nodded, but the boasting one earlier just rolled his eyes. "Thank you."
The boasting changeling from earlier squared up against Flash Sentry. The new royal guard recruit having a cocky smirk on his face. "You bugs don't look so tough up close! Just try and beat me in the air! I'll swat you down no sweat!"
"Have to hit me first feather-brain!" The boasting changeling shot back as he flew straight at Flash! The two grappled before Flash head-butted the changeling! "OW!" This left Flash a chance to hit him with his staff! Both of the older guards and soldier changelings were spectating the fight. Needless to say, neither were impressed by the combatants' conduct.
"He really went with an insult?" One of the royal guard said with a sigh. "Honestly. I know you guys are insect-like, but really?"
One of the soldier changelings shrugged. "Could be worse. He could've called him a parasite. Still, for a new fighter, the Skyborn is doing well against someone literally raised to fight." The royal guard all went rigid at the soldier changeling's words. "Oh. You all weren't raised to fight since you could walk?"
"Not in the least!" Another one of the guard exclaimed. "We all took the mantle of royal guard because we were willing to take up arms to protect our kingdom. Because it was a task we wanted to undertake. It has and always will be our choice."
All of the soldier changelings felt just the least bit empty after hearing these words. Another soldier changeling, a female, sighed. "So. . . you all actually got to know your parents?" The royal guards on the sidelines nodded. "I bet that feels nice. Feeling like an actual family." The match soon ended. Both Flash and the young soldier changeling collapsing exhausted, but giving each other a thumbs-up. That still didn't stop the two from trading remarks.
"Pretty good." Flash Sentry panted. "You're still getting swatted next time. Hope the 'bug' thing didn't get to you."
The young soldier changeling managed a weak smirk. "Hey, everyone one in my race has pretty hard shells. If we let one tiny insult about us being insects get to us, all those invasion skirmishes would've been over quick."
As both combatants returned to their respective sides, Shining Armor addressed the soldier changelings. "King Narico has brought you all here today because he sees an opportunity to help integrate you into our kingdom."
"All of you have experience as soldiers for the hive." Narico began. "Each of you are committed to fighting for your people and your ruler. But Unity is our home now. And as long as Chrysalis is still out there, Unity is still at risk. I'm not going to make you bear this burden. None of you were given any choice before. Making it all the more important that I give you that freedom now. If any of you doesn't want to go through with this, leave now."
None of the soldier changelings budged. "We've made our choice King Narico." One of the changelings answered. "Besides, it'll be nice to actually receive actual armor. Seriously! Queen Chrysalis almost sent us into battle naked just because of our tough skin!" Both the soldier changelings and royal guard burst into a fit of laughter!
"I think you won't have to worry about them getting along." Shining Armor said to Narico. "So what's next on your to do list?"
Narico scratched his head, then came to a realization when he saw the entire mass of identical colors that were his people. "I think I just found out."