Archaenon and Simon had to work fast, and under cover of darkness. In the dead of night, when the medics finished checking up on Simon, they went off. The only creatures still awake were the night guards, Simon, and Archaenon.
Breaking a human out should be easy, Archaenon thought, but it was proving much harder than he had known.
The Night Guard was compromised of only the fittest and healthiest Changelings. The biggest of the bunch, they were charged with holding the army camp during the night. But what was on Archaenon's side was the fact that they trusted him as their commander. They didn't at all expect him to betray them.
Of course, it wouldn't be easy. Not even for Archaenon, who's word was golden here. Understandably, Simon, the greatest threat to the Changeling's master's partner, Sriviramen, was guarded more than usual. Even in the med bay, he was constantly under watch by at least a dozen Night Guardsmen, hidden in the landscape.
It wouldn't be easy for anypony, but at least Archaenon had authority on his side.
He started as the bell struck 11. He snuck out of the Commander's Camp, overlooking the army, and inconspicuously ventured down the treacherous path he already made daily to the medical area. Except, this time, he had to do everything in his power not to be seen. He wore a black cloak, blending his already dark-hue coat into the black of the night. But he knew the Night Guard could see him.
As he reached the medical area, the one guard always on duty, the loyal and undying, yet aging Changeling Banshee. He followed the word of his Queen without question. The perfect soldier, definitely. Too bad Archaenon knew he was between him and Simon.
"Banshee." Archaenon greeted.
"Archaenon." Replied the Changeling.
"May I?" The superior asked, implying entrance to the medical area.
"State your business here."
"Visiting."
"At this hour, Archaenon? I don't think so."
"Why ever not?"
"The patients need their rest. Without it, they will not recover. Furthermore, how important must this be that you should sneak out to visit a medical patient?"
"It is of utmost urgency."
"Then why seek the help of the wounded."
"Please, Banshee. I need to see him."
"Then come back in the morning."
"Is there anyway I'll be able to get past, banshee?"
"Come back in the morning. That is your only option."
"Are you refusing your superior access?"
"I answer to Queen Chrysalis. Not a single other."
"Certainly there must be some way of getting in there at this hour."
"Not one."
"Not one?" Archaenon said, looking imposingly and stiffening his stance.
"Are you threatening me, Archaenon?"
Archaenon could feel the Night Watch narrow their gaze on him. "What if I am?" He asked.
"Then I'd have to fight you." Banshee calmly warned.
Archaenon spread his wings with incredible speed, turning and opening one right in Banshee's face. Archaenon then took to the skies, out of range of the Changeling's fists. But that didn't stop Banshee, who fired the Changelings' signature incapacitating goobolts at the now enemy. With his speed, Archaenon dodged, and threw himself in all his weight at Banshee, who collided with the wall.
But Banshee was stronger, and easily pushed him off. He grabbed Archaenon by the leg, and threw him against the wall himself. He then threw the Commander on the path from which he came. Banshee got on top of Archaenon, and began beating his former superior into the dirt.
For a time Archaenon, who had clearly lost, contemplated death, but then... With a goobolt that stuck to his wings, the Night Guard quickly incapacitated Banshee. They finished him off with a bolt to the mouth, then binding his hooves together and melding him with the wall of the Medical Area. They then made sure Archaenon was stable with some bolts placed on each of his limbs. Then they began interrogating.
"What is the meaning of this, Banshee?" One of the Night Guardsmen, obviously their sergeant, shouted.
"He challenged me. So I gave him a taste of my ability." Banshee calmly replied.
"Archaenon." The sergeant turned, "Did you in fact challenge Banshee?"
Archaenon thought, "I suppose that it could have been taken that way. I requested access to the Medical Area repeatedly. When he rejected, I tried to intimidate him. When he asked if I was threatening him, I acted out."
"Understandable." The sergeant mulled it all over in his head. "Wait a moment. Banshee. Did you in fact deny your superior access to the Medical Area?"
"He is not my superior. He never will be. I will not take orders from this inbred. I only follow orders sanctioned by the Queen herself."
"If you have forgotten, Banshee," the Sergeant continued, "Chrysalis did order this. She ordered that your new high superior was Doctor Sriviramen. And he says that Archaenon is your immediate superior."
"I take orders from the Queen. None else." He simply repeated.
"Even if it is your queen ordering you to take orders from others?"
Banshee did not answer, obviously beaten in a game of wits.
"Archaenon," The sergeant continued, "You can enter. As long as you take two mimics with you."
"Yes, Sergeant." Archaenon was released from his bonds, and waited for the two mimics to arrive. Eventually, the grunts did join Archaenon inside, where Simon was waiting for him.
"Is it time?" He asked.
Archaenon nodded. Then he turned to the two mimics. "Now listen here you filthy curs. The sergeant assigned you to me, and therefore, you will follow my orders. All of them. To the letter. Are we clear?"
"To the letter, Sir." One said, the other nodded.
"Alright. Without question, follow my orders to the letter."
"Yes, sir, of course."
********
Archaenon and Simon left the medical area soon afterward.
This time, though, the sergeant was suspicious. "Halt, Archaenon." he said.
Without speaking, Archaenon looked the sergeant in the face.
"What is, uh..." The Sergeant said, "What is this?"
Archaenon looked up to Simon, then back at the Sergeant. Simon waved.
"I can't let you do this, Archaenon. That prisoner is under lockdown."
Archaenon tried to look bigger and more imposing.
"Whoa, whoa, there, Archaenon. I have a feeling you're threatening me. Is this true?"
Archaenon nodded.
"Alright then. NIGHT GUARD!" He shouted. Every Night Guard in the area was at attention. "Deal with him. He's committing treason. He will be presented to Grand Doctor Sriviramen. Kill the prisoner already."
In a quick succession of flashed, the bolts were out. Archaenon was almost instantly incapacitated and gooed to the ground. Several green Fel-Energy bolts pierced Simon, and he fell over, utterly dead.
"Well, that's uh..." The sergeant thought, "More than I bargained for."
"SERGEANT!" One of the Night Guards shouted.
"What is it, 3509?"
"Pegasus Spy! And it's got Human cargo!"
"Shoot it down, already, 3509!"
"Yes, sir!"
The Night Guards attacked with the same quickness, but every one of their bolts missed their mark. Eventually the Pegasus was out of range.
"3509!" The sergeant yelled.
"Yes, Sergeant?"
"GET YOUR ASS DOWN HERE SO I CAN GIVE YOU HELL!"
"Right away, sir." 3509 said. he then murmured, "Oh, shit."
********
"Good Idea, Archaenon," Simon said while on the back of the straining Pegasus, flying over the Everfree forest.
"I knew it'd work," He said, "Mimics are fearful. They'll do anything you want them to if you threaten them."
"I have a feeling that'll come in handy." Simon said, "Now get a move on. We have to get you to your son."
Archaenon strained toward the camp, eager to be reunited with his son at long last.