"Velvet Pudding, come in! Velvet Pudding, respond now!" A voice came over her Intercom. "Velvet we- argh!"
The eyes of Velvet fluttered open, awakening after being knocked unconscious. She put her hoof to the intercom, "I'm here sir," but no one responded. She recalled being blown by an artillery shell, aiding her fellow ponies in the capture of Vraks. While on her back, she could see sky and concrete. It appeared she fell through a one of Hive chambers and into another. No pony seemed to be around her. It was dark, besides the light provided from the fractured hole.
As she forced herself to stand, she screamed in pain. Something was embedded in her hind-leg. A large piece of sharp metal was sticking out. Blood and puss were mixed with steel. Velvet had no medical training, but she knew she had to stop the bleeding. She pulled out a makeshift med-kit that she brought along. Inside were pieces of torn cloth. She brought out the longest piece of cloth possible that could wrap around her leg. Making a tourniquet was her only option, she did not know how critical her leg's condition may be.
As she was about to tie the cloth, a growl came out from the darkness. Glowing green eyes could be seen. Ever so cautiously Velvet dropped the cloth and scanned for her rifle. Her rifle was only feet away and with a little magic, it was caught in her magical aura.
She aimed the rifle at the glowing eyes and with a bang, a screech was heard. She fired several more and in seconds the glowing eyes faded to darkness. She forced herself to stand on three legs as the other was incapacitated by sharp metal. She glared into the darkness. "Chitin filth," she spat.
Suddenly more glowing eyes appeared and Velvet fired round after round into the darkness. After several rounds her rifle jammed. Velvet felt anger in knowing her very source of protection was now unreliable. She chucked her rifle to her side and pulled out a combat knife. The glowing eyes drew ever closer.
Feeling this could be the very end, Velvet made a prayer to her Empress:
Empress, give me the strength to defeat my enemies.
May your holy light shine down upon me.
If I am to fall this day, take me into your warm embrace and know that I die without remorse or fear.
"The Empress protects," a voice came from behind Velvet.
As she craned her head to face what was behind, out of the darkness came a bright purple coated Alicorn with a purple and red striped mane; dressed in a black uniform. As she approached Velvet the Changelings pounced and in a swift course of action, Velvet rolled out of the way. The purple Alicorn's horn flared with magic and attacked the Changelings.
The first Changeling was grabbed by her magic and thrown against the wall, being squished in the process. Green blood splattered across Velvet's face. The second Changeling above, was sliced in two by the Alicorn's own horn beam. The third was bashed by a hoof, only to fall to the ground and be stomped like the bug it was. The others turned tail and ran, only to be cut down by the Alicorn's magic. Velvet was shocked by the outcome. This mare had come to her rescue, without hesitation or mercy towards the enemy.
The mare turned to Velvet, "stand up Gaurdspony and grab your rifle, the Empresses light shines on you this day."
Velvet made a faint smile, "The Empress protects." She stood back on three legs, "Inquisitor Sunrise Sparkle." Velvet now knew who this mare was, she was the Inquisitor to the Empress. The very words that come from Inquisitor Sunrise Sparkle are like words from the Empress herself.
Sunrise Sparkle replied, "Yes, the Empress does." Sunrise pressed forward into the darkness lighting the way with her horn. Velvet grabbed her rifle and limped onward, keeping up with the Inquisitor. A feeling of death was no longer on Velvet's mind as the Inquisitor herself was near.
"These Chitin's have a complex Hive system. The battle above is progressing with ease. Now we have to clear these tunnels. If I am correct, we will be reaching the Link." Sunrise Sparkle said. The Link from what Velvet knows is what drives the Changelings to continue the fight without mercy. If a Changeling was born in Vraks, then the Changeling is bond to that Link. It can be described as a home or beacon.
Changeling after changeling appeared out from the shadows, but the Inquisitor cut each one down without thought. The will of the Empress burns brightly in Sunrise Sparkle and Velvet needs to do the same. The power and belief in the Empress can make anypony fierce.
The growls and screeches went silent. The Hive system expanded into a vast opening. At the center is what appeared to be the Link. It looked like a throne, fit for a Chitin Queen. Velvet spat, "These foul beast know not of the Empresses light, Inquisitor, let me handle this."
As Velvet was about to push onward, the Inquisitor stopped her with a hoof. "This is a trap," Sunrise said, "Changelings do not abandon the Link." Sunrise fired a magic flare into the Hive Link and a burst of sparks appeared when it connected. "I thought so, it is shielded." Sunrise growled, "They do not know when to quit."
After the sparks dissipated from the Link, glowing green eyes opened, surrounding the two. The inquisitor shouted, "Do you believe you could have stopped me Chitin's? I am Inquisitor Sunrise Sparkle, Regent and student to Empress Daybreaker!" As Sunrise finished her say all the Changelings descended upon them.
***
Velvet coughed up blood as her body was torn asunder. The Changelings had been defeated; they lay scattered around the Hive. At the center, where the Link stood had been shattered. Velvet gave her life, to break the shielding, so Sunrise may end its connection. The Changelings in Vraks had fallen, Vraks is now apart of the Empress and her Empire.
Sunrise Sparkle approached Velvet and knelt beside her, "Your sacrifice for the Empress will not be forgotten. Do you have any last request's, before the holy light embraces you?" Velvet coughed more blood, she felt the light forming around her vision.
"It has been an honor, to serve the Empress and fight beside her Inquisitor. I depart from this world, knowing that the soil I die on, is apart of the Empress. The Empress... protects." Velvet closed her eyes and breathed her last.
Inquisitor Sunrise Sparkle stood up and saluted, "The Empress protects."