//------------------------------//
// Rescue 
// Story: The Changeling King Part 2: Kings' Gambit 
// by th3l0stch1ld 
//------------------------------//

	Amor struggled against his cuffs, trying everything in his power to break free, but it was only bringing him more pain.  Every movement he made sent the cuffs deeper into his skin, blood caking them.  Maybe I could kick my back ones up.  Listening to his mind, he kicked his back legs with all his might, only to get the same massive pain.  Shifting his head, he looked down, only to see the same cuffs on his back legs.  Now that I think about it, what was that going to accomplish?  Amor sighed.  There was no use in trying anymore.  Suddenly, a distant boom.  Then another.  Suddenly, the door burst open.
“Sir!”  Amor looked up to see Escara wielding a bloodied sword.  His horn began to glow as all four cuffs that were wrapped around Amor’s legs opened, dropping him onto the ground.  He didn’t stop to put his armor on, didn’t take his sword, didn’t even give Escara the chance to release his magic.  He ran right for the door.  “Wait, where are you going?”
“Chrysalis.”  He didn’t say another word, he just ran through the door.  He found himself in a large chamber, doors on every side of him.  He didn’t know where to start, until he looked down and saw the blood that looked like it was dragged across the floor.  As much as it brought pain to him, he showed his teeth and began following it.  Down corridors, through doorways, he followed it to a large metal door.  Amor had no idea where he was anymore, but he didn’t care at all.  All he cared about was Chrysalis.  He shoved the door open, expecting the reunion he was hoping for, but his emotions stopped short, when he saw nothing in the room.  He looked around, blood caking the floor and walls.  He closed his eyes tight.  “This is where he…I…I couldn’t protect her.  This is my fault.”
“S-sir.”  Amor didn’t even turn around.  He was too heartstruck to even stop.
“I couldn’t help her.  I…I can’t…I didn’t protect her.”
“Sir, it’s not your fault.  None of us could have seen this coming.”
“No!  I did this!  I let her go!”
Amor’s emotions were raging.  Escara knew this could get out of hand, but he knew he needed to get this under control.  “Sir, we can…you can still save her.”
“What do you know?”
“W-well, if she’s…not here….then she is likely still alive.  I doubt they would bring her if she was…you know…”
“Are you suggesting that they still have her?”
“Well, we didn’t find a…a body.”
“He’s using her.  We need to head to the hive.”
“Reinforcements?”
“No, his hive.  I want to see him die.”
Escara knew he had to change the subject.  “S-so, wondering how I found you?”
“Don’t care.”  Amor began trotting off.
“B-but-“
“I knew you were following me.  You didn’t really think I would hurt you?  No, when I realized the timberwolf was there I…wait, why are we talking about this?  My wife has been captured, possibly killed, and you want me to play guessing games?”
“Sir, I-“
“Do you know what he told me?  He said he was…he was going to have fun with her.  I swear, if I find another hair out of place on her body, I will rip his heart out and eat it.  And as his life fades away, I will make him watch.”
“Sir, I think you’re overreacting.”
“Overreacting?  OVERREACTING?”  Amor tackled Escara to the ground and pinned him, his fangs bare.  “Listen, drone, the only thing I have left to live for is being tortured.  The only pony I ever loved, gone.  Don’t tell me I’m overreacting.”
Escara’s eyes were wide.  He was shaking in fear.  If he didn’t choose his next words carefully, he may not leave here alive.  “Sir…I’m sorry.  You know I will do anything in my power to help her.”
A slightly calmer look filled Amor’s eyes as he loosened his grip on Escara.  “I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me.”  He finally released his grip on Escara, letting him stand.
“It’s alright, sir.  I may not understand true love, but I see how happy you two are when your together.  I will do everything I can to help, even if it means dying, to have you reunited.”
“Thank you.  We will set up camp here.  More fortified than the camp and a lot closer to the target.”
“Yes sir.  I’ll send the troops back to gather what they need.”
“Good.”
“Eh, sir.”
“Yes?”
“There is another camp set up a few miles to the east of here.”
“Why so close?”
“This isn’t a camp, this is a torture chamber.  That’s why it was so easy to get in.”
Amor didn’t hesitate.  “Destroy it.  Kill them all.  I don’t want any survivors.”
“Y-yes sir.”  Escara didn’t want to argue.  Gathering his troops, Escara set out to the camp.
……….
Returning hours later, Escara began searching for Amor.  He found him lying in the floor in the room he stopped at, the blood of Chrysalis soaking into his coat.  He didn’t move, he didn’t speak, he barely even breathed.  At first, Escara thought he was dead.
“Sir?”  Amor blinked as his gaze shifted to meet the eyes of his soldier.  “Sir, I brought all your things back with me.  Where do you want them?”
“I don’t care.”
“Okay…at least let me free your magic.”  Escara approached and touched his horn to Amor’s.  With a flash, Amor could cast his spells.  He levitated a small droplet of blood in front of his eye, watching it as he deformed it in whatever way he wanted, then letting it turn back into a droplet.  He then dropped it and watched as it splashed, spraying onto his face.  “We are ready to attack when you are.”
“No we aren’t.  If we are going to attack a hive, we need a hive.  Gather every soldier in Equestria.  Send letters to all the camps, give them this location, and tell all the members of the hive, and Purity, to gather at Canterlot.  We will attack when all soldiers gather.”
“Yes sir.”  Escara pulled a pile of paper out of his armor and began to write three letters.
To all camps,
Former king Amor has asked that all soldiers gather at the location that will be marked on the map enclosed with this.  When all soldiers are gathered, we will send a full attack on the hostile hive.  That is all.
Commander Escara
Marking the location on five maps, Escara pulled out another piece of paper.
To the hive,
All soldiers are to gather for a final attack on the hostile hive lead by the false king Hornet.  The location where you are to gather is marked.  Send all the citizens to Canterlot before departing.
Commander Escara
He finally pulled out the final piece of paper.
Queen Purity,
Your father, Amor, has asked that all soldiers gather at a new location to attack the hive of Hornet.  He is worried for your safety, and has asked that you, along with your personal guard, Avispa, meet the hive at Canterlot.  There is a map enclosed with the new location marked where you are to send your soldiers.  
Escara
	Escara folded all five pieces of paper and placed a map with each.  After gathering five messengers, he sent them to their designated locations, hoping for the best.
“You, to the hive. You, the Baltimare camp.  You, the Smokey Mountain camp, they are to be informed of the hostile camp to the west of them and told to destroy it.  You, Hollow Shades.  And you, Everfree.”  Each soldier nodded as they took flight in the various directions.  “Amor…” he had to look up.  Escara hardly used Amor’s real name unless he was being serious.  “Get ready for the attack.  Be strong, lead us to victory.”