Morning light poured into the cracks in the canopy from up above. The forest remained eerily quiet. Not a single bird sang, nor did any other wildlife scurry about. The morning was slightly cold with chilling dew covering the semi frosted grass and leaves. All seemed too still for even a single soul to be in the area. Suddenly, a teal earth pony flanked by a white unicorn and a gray pegasus slipped out of the underbrush stealthily. They were all battered but hardened. Weeks of conflict having worn their spirits thin and testing their resolve. They had more practical and lighter versions of the armor issued to the guard. It was silent and a dull gray shown through the smeared mud and paint that covered their plates. The armor itself had been damaged from extensive recent use. They moved as silently as an assassin stalking their prey. They were close to their target now. Their sole chance to end this conflict before it gets much worse.
The situation deteriorated rapidly after the changeling hive was reformed. A small band of dissenters chose to defect from the hive and wage war against the ponies that had shattered their culture. These ponies struck deep into the woods to find the commander Pharynx. Their mission was to capture or eliminate the threat facing Equestria’s outlying townships. They were sent after various small towns were raised to make a statement. The newly reformed changelings threw away weapons and swore a path of pacifism to an extreme and thus only supplied Equestrian forces information and supplies with the promise that the conflict would be ended quickly with as little violence as possible. That seemed unlikely now.
Suddenly, the ponies burst forth into a small clearing. There were several small structures that matched the information given by Thorax yet, there was not a single changeling in sight. The pegasus took to the air while the unicorn and earth pony fanned out to scan the scene. Without warning half a dozen furious green bolts of magic rained from multiple sides. The unicorn raised a shield and deflected a few while the earth pony rolled and dodged all but a single bolt.
The pegasus landed with a thud. His injuries were severe enough to incapacitate him. With the small group shaken and hurt the changelings jumped from the trees surrounding their foes swiftly. They wasted no time rushing for a finishing blow causing the unicorn to release a devastating burst of raw chaotic energy. While unfocused and untamed, the burst of magic poured over the area and knocked out half of the changelings, but left the unicorn at the end of his strength.
Exhausted he readied himself for another spell, only for it to sputter and die. Another changeling charged and struck him in the side knocking him down. With two foes down the remaining changelings turned to the last of the warriors sent to defeat them. The lone earth pony knew that at this point she was outmatched. ---
To be potentially be continued. just not here. The speed write will remain raw.