Proofreader/editor: xoids
The group entered the sleeping quarter, ready for a fight... only to find the place abandoned. Only thing in the room was a pile of dead changelings, with wounds indicating that they had been killed by the diversion force.
“Whoa...” Applejack’s double said, looking at the pile. “That’s...”
“Hey, I can see to other tunnels from here!” Pinkie Pie shouted, emerging from the top of the pile.
“Wait, what?” The human leader said, taking a look where Pinkie had been before her appearance.
“Oh shit, it’s the Pink Assassin!” One of the humans said, raising his gun and backing off. “Only it could pull that kind of shit!”
“Get your shit together soldier! “ The leader said. “She is our ally here! You will act like professional or I will shoot you myself!”
“But sir!” The soldier said, still keeping his gun aimed at Pinkie. “She was behind the Camp 9 Massacre” This caused humans to suddenly turn to stare at Pinkie, who had disappeared.
“How about we don’t talk about Camp 9? Okay?” Pinkie said, suddenly hanging from the neck of the human who had mentioned the camp.
“OH GOD TAKE IT OFF ME! TAKE IT OFF ME!” The human started to panic, until the leader grabbed him and gave him a good shake. Pinkie Pie dropped off at this point, not wanting to cause more trouble.
“You are a soldier of Humanity! You will ACT like one!” He said. “And you! Can we trust you?” He added, pointing at Pinkie Pie.
“Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake to my eye.” Pinkie Pie said, going through the motions.
“Guess we have to accept that.” The human leader concluded, before a soft buzzing caught his attention. A drone flew inside the chamber and dropped another changeling onto the pile. Then it started to fly away, but stopped at the entrance. It took a quick look around and saw them. It stared for a moment, then flew out of the chamber. A minute later, a swarm and changelings burst into the chamber.
“GO GO GO!” Came a shout. Not that it was needed. The Elements and their doubles were already running as fast as they could.
There was, however, one advantage that the group had. One that they had not actually planned, but welcome it anyway. Even humans, normally very wary of anything that could kill them, found themselves very much preferring the presence of Spike. Infant by dragon standards, he was still a dragon. A dragon with ability to breath fire. He qa causing the swarm to try to avoid direct attacks. Having a changeling go mad from pain and then trashing on fire around a tightly packed swarm caused a lot more damage than what humans could hope to achieve with a single bullet.
Of course, there were few dissenting opinions on whenever extra lethality was good or not. Mainly from alternative universe Elements, but at the moment, they were too busy trying to get through the camber to give their objection to Spike’s actions. Both Twilights and Rarity were casting spells as fast as they could, whereas blind Rarity was content on just shielding the group on demand.
“Where do all these changelings come from!?” Applejack shouted.
“Maybe they come from the woodworks?” Pinkie Pie asked, appearing behind Applejack, hitting a changeling that had tried to sneak up to her.
“I don’t know and I don’t care! We need to get to the queens chambers! NOW!” Twilight answered back.
“This way!” Chrysalis shouted as the group fought it’s way through the changeling swarm. Two more humans fell to the onslaught before the group managed to pull through. Once they reached the connecting tunnel, both Twilights cast a shield spell at the both sides of the group.
“Damn it… damn it… This thing better be worth the lives of my subordinates, changeling.” The human leader said while trying to catch his breath. He and another human were only survivors from SOG‐9.
“I do hope so. I noticed that my hive is losing members faster than it can hope to replenish them.” Chrysalis said. “Two broodmothers are gone… Death of a broodmother without another to replace it is always a blow against a hive, but loss of two?”
“By the way… you six need to learn to strike killing blows.” Rainbow Dash said, scraping off changeling blood from her hooves. Their doubles looked suitably horrified and disgusted by the sight. They had tried to fight alongside others, but since they aimed to incapacitate or knock down the changelings, their efforts had minimal impact. “This ain’t some fancy fight, this is how wars are fought.”
“But… but… how could you kill someone one? Just like that?” Fluttershys double asked.
“I don’t know… I never could push myself to do it…” Fluttershy answered. Applejack shook her head at them.
“That’s why you’re always at the backlines, dealing with the wounded. Oh, and thanks Spike, for the help back there. That flame of your was mighty fine work.”
“I aim to please.” Spike said with a grin, before coughing. “Though I think I am going to be sick tomorrow. It ain’t easy to conjure up that much flame.” He said. Even if he looked and sounded like your normal teenager, by the dragon standards he was barely out of infancy.
“Time to move. We don’t want to give them time to realise what we are planning.” Chrysalis said. “The usurper must by now know we are here and wondering why. Besides… those changelings? There weren’t born while I was here and they certainly weren’t from THIS hive.”
“KEEP UP THE PRESSURE! MAINTAIN UNIT INTEGRITY!” Someone shouted. Most likely an officer trying to keep troops in line. No‐one was sure what had happened, most likely that the strike team had made contact with the enemy, but the changeling swarm had suddenly strengthened itself tenfold.
Which made them wonder. Where had these changelings came from? The hive did not have this many in it, certainly not after recent battles and the earlier massacre. If they always had these kinds of numbers, they should have used them earlier.
Number of changelings was starting to feel across the frontline. Even when troops abandoned conservative shooting policies and simply started to shoot everything that moved, changelings still managed to get past killzones and engage in melee. So far the line had held, but constant “near misses” were starting to freak the soldiers out. Griffins fared the words, not being used to small confined of the tunnels, whereas diamond dogs were still ready to fight.
“Any word from your men?” The zebra legate asked his human counterpart.
“Nothing since we started the operation. They were instructed to maintain radio silence, incase changelings could detect the radio waves.”
“Can you contact them?”
“Not sure. If they are too deep in the hive, all this rock will make contacting them near impossible, unless we crank up the power. That, on the other hand, can cause problems with our magic users. Nothing major, but apparently it causes problems with casting spells.We really don’t want them failing their shield and magic murder spells right now.”
“Magic arrow spells and I understand. Just try to keep everyone together. If we don’t hear about them in one hour, I’m calling code black on them.”
“Understood.”
“Welcome to Our little chamber. We apologize for the disarray, but We were not aware We were receiving guests today. I hope the you will enjoy the welcoming party.”
Welcoming party, in this case, referred to about 500 changelings staring down at the group. Behind them, barely visible, was the usurper queen. Around the chamber were the remains of two broodmothers and few nymphs.
“What. Did. You. Do. To them?” Chrysalis asked, barely containing herself.
“Oh, a little test. See if We could avoid becoming a broodmother, instead having someone take Our place as one. To become eternal... the eternal will of the hive.” The usurper answered.
“You have grand delusions, to refers yourself with royal We.” Twilight said. As far as she knew, Chrysalis rarely, if ever, used the royal We. Not unless she was trying to gloat and bait other to do something rash.
“Oh, but there is no other way to refer to Us. We are legion, you see. One voice, many minds. This is a mere vessel. You, a weak minded fool, could never understand the glory which we have achieved.”
“I know you became slaves to one insane chaos god.” Chrysalis spat back.
“Slaves? You think he controls us? You deluded fool. Stumbling in your own ignorance. Making assumptions which one can’t prove. No, we are doing this out of our own choice. We will make our species dominant species in this world. No more hiding, no more secrecy. We shall stand out in open, as a rulers. We shall herd out prey like a cattle they are.”
“You’re insane.” Twilight said. Everybody else nodded their agreement.
“Perhaps. That is certainly a possibility. We have, after all, allied ourselves with God of Chaos. Oh, and I must absolutely thank you for just standing there, while my minions surround you.”
The group took a quick look around and saw that they were surrounded.
“Well fuck. Plan B everyone! Kill everything!” The human commander said and started shooting. Other humans followed the example. Twilight and her double started to cast spells to take out the incoming horde, while Rarity and her double cast shield spells. Rainbow Dash and her double, alongside two Applejacks, took out anyone daring to get too close. Spike’s ability to breath fire became handy, once again.
Still, there was one major problem. The changeling queen could afford the losses they were inflicting. They could not, even a single casualty would mean disaster. They needed something that would ensure their victory.
“Damn it.” Wild Ride said as he stood up. A changeling had managed to get the drop on him and knocked him down, before being killed. “I don’t get it. There were a lot less previously!”
“I don’t think these are all from the same hive.” His griffin partner said. “Too many, too suddenly, not to mention subtle differences.”
“Differences?”
“Yeah, look here,” he said pointing toward two dead changelings. “The first’s wings are more pointed, and its teeth are longer. The second has sharper teeth with greater curvature. Seems like another hive is reinforcing them.”
“Well ain’t that just fantastic.”
“Go and warn the others, we need to have command know about this.”
“Right, try to keep things under control here.”
“Hey! You know the spell that defeated Chrysalis last time!?” Twilight shouted to her double.
“Yes. Shall we cover you while you cast it?” Her double answered, while blasting another changeling.
“Forget us.” She said and floated the Elements to their doubles. “You cast it, we cover you. We can’t afford to screw this up! EVERYONE! COVER THEM WHILE THEY CAST!”
“It’s going to take a while, it’s not something I am particularly good with. Cadance knew the spell better than I.”
“I know, but we don’t have a choice. We need to take down this swarm before they overrun us!”
“Right, gather up girls!”
“What the fuck is going on?!” A human asked from Chrysalis, after seeing the Elements float up.
“I don’t know, this wasn’t in the plan.” She answered, after cracking skull of a changeling that attacked her. She had no problems killing changelings that weren’t part of her hive, so in sense it was a blessing that the usurper had brought her own warriors. It made this so much easier for her.
Despite their confusion over the Elements, the humans and Chrysalis moved to cover the apparent new group of Elements. Changelings appeared to realize what was happening and focused on the Elements, that started to slowly glow.
“This feels… weird…” Applejack’s double muttered. “Doesn’t feel quite the same as with our own ones.”
“Probably the result of not being natives to this universe. Try to ignore it for now.” Twilight’s double answered and tried to concentrate on the spell. She had to make Chrysalis sized hole in the “blast all changelings” rules, since they needed her conscious and alive.
There was a loud THUNK-CRUNCH behind Twilight, who turned around, just to see Pinkie hopping away, while a changeling laid down on the ground. She had to wonder how she kept doing that, appearing in the nick of time, despite being too far away to cross the distance in time.
After few moments and numerous failed attacks by the changelings, the usurper queen had enough.
“If you want something done, do it yourself!” She shouted and send a blast of magical energy towards the group.
“RARITY! SHIELD! NOW!” Twilight shouted and cast her own shield. The blast hit the first layer, cast by Rarity. The shield cracked and disappeared, but the blast was weakened. When it hit the layer cast by Twilight, it dissipated.
The usurper snarled in frustration. While those damn unicorns protected the Elements, her changelings could not kill them. She could not send enough changelings to fight them without leaving herself vulnerable to others. Then she had an idea. If she could not crack the spell directly… then perhaps indirect method could work?
Sergeant August couldn’t decide whether this was the worst mission ever or whether that job back during The War was worse. At least these creatures dropped from a single shot, but he was running out of ammo, fast.
“I need help!” He shouted. He looked around and saw that his squad was dead or in process of dying. Apparently no help would be coming to him anytime soon. Damn it, what was taking those damn “Elements” so long?
“Maybe I can help you. To sleep.” Came a far too recognizable voice. August swirled around once more, only to get a face full of magic. The sensor readings went wild on his suit. Numerous alarms run across his HUD. Dangerous magical levels. Counter system failure. Talisman failure. Suit breached. Repair protocol failure.
He died before he hit the ground.
“What the—!?” Applejack’s double shouted as the humans armor cracked and strange goob flowed out.
“CONCENTRATE!” Twilight’s double shouted. “This is hard enough even without you slacking!”
“Sorry! But that guy just MELTED!”
“FOCUS! We can deal with it later!”
“Right, right!”
Meanwhile, the usurper queen had turned to attack others. Rainbow Dash was doing her best to protect Fluttershy, who barely managed to defend herself. Spike was protecting Rarity, who in turn cast shield spells as close as he could, whenever someone shouted. Sometimes she cast a magic bolt in general direction, based on Spike’s comments. Being blind was a real drawback in these situations.
After setting another bunch of changelings, who thought they were clever and tried to sneak up to him, on fire, Spike turned to see the usurper queen charging up another magic bolt, the same kind that had pierced Rarity’s shield earlier.
“Rarity! Shield!” He shouted. Rarity cast the spell and a sparkling shield went up across her and Spike. Spike pushed her away and was about to move himself when the bolt hit him. He felt his feet lift off the ground before he smashed against the cavern wall.
“SPIKE!” Rarity and Twilight shouted.
“*groan* Still alive… still alive…” He said before falling unconscious.
“YOU BASTARD!” Twilight shouted and tried to charge the usurper only have her path blocked by changelings. She tried to fight her way through, but there were too many changelings to be taken care of. By the time she could move forward, the usurper had already moved,making any progress she made irrelevant.
“You big meanie!” Pinkie Pie shouted, having (rather morbidly) grabbed a discarded human helmet and hitting the usurper with it.
“Where in Tartarus did you come from!?” The usurper said, as the changeling swarm changed it’s direction to attack this new threat to the queen. At the same time, the queen started to gather energy for another strike.
“Pinkie! MOVE!!” Twilight shouted and began to cast a shield over Pinkie, who suddenly realised the poor tactical position she was currently. She tried to run, but a changeling managed to grab her by her ankle. Twilight was just about to cast her spell, when a changeling tackled her, disturbing the spell. She had to use the spell energy she had to fight off the changeling.
“Let me go!” She shouted, giving the changelings a good kick in the face, freeing her.
“Die.” The usurper said and send the bolt of magic. Pinkie had barely time to register what was happening when the spell hit.
“No. No no nonononononono NO!” Twilight shouted as Pinkie Pie’s body hit the ground. She half expected her to suddenly jump us and shout “Fooled you!”. She hoped that was the case. Yet… her body didn’t move. There wasn’t even movement from breathing in her chest.
“YOU BASTARD! YOU CELESTIA‐DAMNED MURDERER!” Twilight shouted and started to cast spells without much of a thought.
“GET HER!” She heard Rainbow Dash shout and saw her fly past her, smashing changelings left and right. However, the usurper was prepared this time and cast a shield, a shield unlike any she had seen before. Rainbow Dash hit it and it seemed like some sort of electricity surged out of it.
“DASH!” She heard herself to cry.
“LEAVE HER ALONE!” She heard uncharacteristic shout from Fluttershy, who apparently no longer had any inhibitions of smashing changelings. Combined with the murderous look on her face, changelings were terrified of her.
“Got it!” Twilight’s double shouted. In a short time, a blinding light filled the cavern. When it disappeared, the changelings laid on the ground, unconscious. So did their doubles, panting from exertion. Twilight walked to the usurper queen who was barely moving.
“Hehehe…” She had maniacal look on her face and a smile that showed way more teeth that should have been possible. “Payback is a bitch, isn’t it?”
“Wait a minute.” Chrysalis said walking next to her.
“You wanna stop me? Think again.” Twilight growled at Chrysalis. Chrysalis took a step back before shaking her head.
“Stop you? Perish the thought!” She said with a forced smile. “I just ask you to wait for few minutes. I got a hive to reclaim. I need her alive for a moment. After that, feel free to cut her up.” She said, her horn flaring up.
The usurper queen winced and groaned as Chrysalis pierced her connection to the hive. She was tempted to try to assume command of the other hive too, but something was blocking her. She decided to leave that one for now. Perhaps it had something to do with the whole “We are Legion” thing the usurper had been spouting.
She felt how her subconscious was filled with her former subjects thoughts and opinions. How they were confused and how their confusion turned to cheers as they realised who had returned. She ordered the to cease the useless attack. She assured them the attackers would no longer be a threat if they stopped.
“She’s all yours now.” Chrysalis said and turned away. “I will have no knowledge what happens next.”
Last thing the usurper saw, was a purple hoof rising above her head.
“Sir, they are pulling! They are all retreating!” A soldier shouted to his officers. The officer took a quick look and ran to the command post that had been set up in the tunnel.
“Commander! Legate! The changeling swarm is pulling back on all fronts!”
“Well color me surprised, they did it!” The human commander said.
“And not a moment too soon. We were just discussing retreat and abandoning the operation. tell all men to keep their guard up, for now. We still need to wait until we hear from the Elements.”
“Yes sir!” After the officer left, both commanders gave a sigh of relief.
“Thank the Spirits they succeeded.” Legate said.
“This was starting to turn out badly for us. I might disagree on whole letting the hive live, but I can certainly say I prefer to keep my men alive.”
Silence reigned in the queen’s chamber. The Elements were gathered around the body of Pinkie Pie. Applejack had taken unconscious body of Rainbow Dash on her back, whereas her double was carrying Spike. In the corner, changelings were dragging now headless body of the usurper away, to be thrown into a waste dump.
“Why? Why did you have to do it?” Twilight muttered. She picked up the body in her magic. The body had large scorch mark where the bolt had it. Spike had similar, but smaller one where he had gotten the weakened bolt. Fluttershy put her hoof over Twilights shoulder, before gently speaking.
“Let’s go. We all need rest and she deserves to see the sun once more, before we la… let her rest.” Fluttershy said, trying to avoid directly stating that Pinkie was dead. She had seen Twilight right after the spell. Her hooves were still covered in blood and Fluttershy could swear there was brain matter there too. Twilight had turned into a bomb, one that nobody wanted to set off.
“…I guess. Come then. No time to laying around.” Twilight said and started to walk out. “We need to inform the diversion force.”
“I will take care of things here. We will need to relocate to avoid an attack from other hives. Most likely we will head north. Once we I am done here, I will return to Canterlot.” Chrysalis said. She had been ordering the hive to gather everything they could and move out. They could not stay in their hive for long, sooner or later other hives would attack the now much weaker hive. “And.. thank you. I am sorry for your loss.”
“Yeah… whatever…” Twilight muttered as she walked away. The girls gave each other a quick glance, before saying their goodbyes and following her.