//------------------------------// // Rails of a mimic Part 4 // Story: The Ancient Guardians // by autobotfan15 //------------------------------// The train yard had changelings searching while the Queen kept watch from the train station. Thorax searched the roundhouse. It was dark and had equipment of different types laying about. In the dark he heard crying and recognized it as Ocellus. He found her crying near a window and large door. "Ocellus you ok?" "No! I can't take this anymore. I was ok with how things were with just taking love from wandering creatures and farming whatever we could near our hive, but our Queen, she's now more than willing to throw us away just so she can have it all to herself. I thought she cared." Thorax hugged her tightly and rubbed her back. "It's ok my friend. I was never on board with this plan either. Tell you what I hear some of us went rogue maybe we can join them." "That's probably the best choice. You bugs have more heart than I thought." The two drones immediately paled. It wasn't their voices because it came from behind them. They turned to see a black locomotive it turned red and it's front became the mouth but it still kept most of the appearance of a simple locomotive. The two drones were petrified and thought they would be eaten immediately but it didn't. "Don't be alarmed and don't try to run." Thorax was the first to snap out of his trance. "You can speak?" "Obviously..." “Who or rather what are you?” Asked Ocellus. “I’d long forgotten my name but I’m sometimes refer to as the train eater.” “Why are you here? And why are you eating our kind?” Asked Ocellus. “I’ve been around for many years guarding the rails but I’d retire following the arrival of the heroes of harmony. When I heard what happened here, I knew someone had to do something to save the ones who laid down these rails.” “Do the ponies know you exist?” “No pony has seen me and lived to tell the tale but you changelings are the first and to be honest…” The train eater inched closer to the two. “Your kind are a lot more filling than the rodents, bugs, and pony fugitives that crawled into me.” The two began shaking in fear. “But tonight is your lucky night. I’m only in the mood for your queen as my dinner. If you value survival and peace, I suggest you leave.” The two didn’t need convincing and suddenly left in a hurry. Chrysalis noticed this and turned towards the roundhouse. If they were leaving in a hurry then they must’ve found it. But then they would’ve reported to her. So why were they leaving so fast without telling her? “Troops, storm that roundhouse!” The drones surrounded the building some began trying to break the doors and windows. A few drones bursted in and were soon face to face with the beast in the dark. Within seconds strange sounds were heard followed by the sounds of a struggle and screaming. A few moments later one of the large doors bursts open to reveal the large red worm with many eyes and a huge mouth. “ATTACK!” Within seconds the train yard of Canterlot was a war zone. Drones were either blasting, getting squashed or eaten by the train eater. Queen Chrysalis fought from the sky. To her it was surprising how this one monster was single handily defeating her troops slowly while not getting hurt. It was like it was immune to magic attacks. As the fight went on some changelings began retreating as the army continued to shrink. “Cowards the lot of you! Stay and Fight!” “It won’t do you any good to keep up this stubbornness.” Said the train eater. Chrysalis was taken aback by his voice. “So you can speak. Then how about surrendering and I’ll consider you mercy.” “No you leave and I’ll stop eating your kind.” “You think you can order me!? I’m a queen I’m unstoppable and I will rule-“ CHOMP! “LET ME OUT!” During her monologue she was so distracted she didn’t notice the lack of drones and the fact it got closer to her and was able to raise itself like a snake. “Are you willing to leave?” “Never!” Yelled the queen from inside the creature. She tried using her magic to get out but it was no use. She couldn’t even teleport out. It was now smelling foul and she used her horn to illuminate to dark place she was in. She was inside what looked like a passenger car and it was slowly filling with acid. All she could do was stare at the acid as it raised. She attempted to fly out but for some reason she couldn’t find an exit. Chrysalis was now panicking and desperate. “Let me out! Let me out!” What she didn't know was that train eater transformed back into a locomotive with a single passenger car and rolled off into the night. =============== Meanwhile below in the dungeons two guards came in and freed the ponies. "You're free your highness you no longer have to worry. The changelings are gone." To say the ponies were confused was an understatement. They just stared as they were being released from either their prison cells or cocoons. Princess Celestia looked outside to see many of her subjects working together to free themselves and repair their city. She looked to the two guards. "What happened? Did something came and defeat Chrysalis?" "We know something did happen we just don't know what. We were barely able to be free because two drones actually came and broke us out." Said one of the guards. Celestia was now more confused. Why would two drones free them? She then turned to her student, who still looked down and sad, she then looked to the other ponies who looked at Twilight with guilt. The changelings maybe gone but now they have another thing to fix. ============= Ocellus, Thorax, and Pharlynx didn't fly far from Canterlot. When they discovered their queen. Her body looked badly burnt and smelled of acid but by some miracle she was alive. Pharlynx was quickly at her side. "My Queen what happened? Did that Monster-" He was interrupted as the Queen slowly got up and raised her hoof. "Send a word out. All changeling spies within Equestria, retreat and never come back." The three drones had a look of understanding. But Thorax and Ocellus had a feeling this might be the start of something different for their kind.