Chapter 4: Darkness Rising
Crystalia and Celestia had arrived in the War Room to recieve a welcome of shocked faces. On the way from Celestia's chambers, Crystalia had become more and more like Celestia. The changes had stopped about halfway between there and the War Room, but they were still mystifying.
Crystalia's wings had grown bones and become feathered, though she could still do everything she could with her bug wings. Her already smooth hor had elongated, her stature increased, her eyes changed to magenta, and her chitin was a white that matched Celestia's, including the cutiemark, though it was still chitin, and not fur. Her mane and tail had copied that of Celestia's down to the fact that her colourful mane and tail waved in a breeze that just did not exist. Crystalia retained the fangs, holes in her legs, though they'd become much more elegant, and her draconic slit eyes.
"Glad you could make it," said Winter, "And I must say, the new you is incredible, Crystalia." I nodded my appriciation of his comment, and he bowed his head in return.
They sat at the far end of the table, Celestia in the place of honor and Crystalia right next to her on a pillow.
"I'm not aware of the current millitary leaders, so I will leave the role-call to my sister, Crystalia."
Crystalia nodded and immediately took on her regal poise.
"Captain Shining Armor, 1st Royal Guard." Shining saluted promptly before return ing to his thoughts. They seemed very grim.
"Lord Hermane Gowering, 26th Manehattan Infantry." Hermane raised his hoof in salute quickly and precisely before placing it back down.
The rest of the roll call went as per usual until a Solstice Royal Guard and an Honor Guard showed up.
"Ah, Captian Flynn, 1st Solstice Royal Guard, and Field Marshal Stormcry, 1st Honor Guard. Glad you two could make it," Winter said.
They both bowed and moved to take seats.
"Now, I would like to know why we require a meeting on such short notice," Crystalia asked.
"Dear sister, do you remember of the legends of The Dark Empire," asked Chrysalis.
Crystalia froze up, something she would not normally do under any circumstances. But The Dark Empire had always struck fear into her heart.
"Just old tales to scare young changelings, right," asked Crystalia, though she already knew the answer.
"I'm arfraid they're what drove me to attack in the way I did," said Chrysalis, "You saw my hive when you rescued Chrysalia."
I nodded solemly, remembering the empty husks of starved changelings that littered the halls.
"In which case, I propose a full mobilization of Equestria's armed forces," said Celestia. This sent most of the council into an angered uproar, but the Solstice Guards remained content.
"The entire Solstice Grand Army, ten divisions of 500,000 troops and four air fleets of 250,000 airmen, and the Prince's flagship fleet and Honor Guard, are with you at his magesty's command," said Marshal Stormcry.
Captain Flynn nodded. "The unmanned defences at Solstice are as effective as her guards. The 1st Solstice Royal Guard is with you and you choice."
Winter nodded to both of them. "The Solstice Grand Army is at your command."
Celestia nodded. "Thank you, Prince Winter."
Slowly, the rest of the the Generals followed suit, including Chrysalis, suprisingly.
"But you have no forces left," Crystalia said, "I saw your hive!"
"I have another hive," Chrysalis admitted. "I'd planned to use it as a refuge if we lost, but now we are allies, and we can fight."
Crystalia nodded. "Good to see that old fighting spirit of yours is still there."
Chrysalis perked up, standing proud and tall. "Thankyou, my sister."
Crystalia nodded again. "Now, there are things to be discussed..."
~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks to information Winter gave on when The Dark Empire attempted taking Solstice, they were able to narrow down the location of the hive to somewhere in the Everfree Forest. Though it wasn't a precise location, as the forest was hundreds of acres, it was an excellent start.
"Since Winter's forces are the least likely to have infiltrators, his will lead the operations, and be on the front line." Crystalia waited while this dunk in before continuing. "Winter's aircraft, as he calls them, will keep an eye in the sky for any changeling that attempts to escape. If one is spotted, The Wonderbolts will move in to capture or, if all else fails, kill the chageling."
Everypony and person in the room nodded. As much as it had apined her to say it, she didn't have much of a choice. These changelings harmed other changelings and ponies without provacation, like feral animals who hadn't eaten, but their reported build said they were well-supplied with an excessive amount of love.
"Will that be all," asked General Biscuit, in charge of the 18th Baltimare Riders.
"That will be all," replied Celestia, "Assemble the armies as quickly as possible." All the generals nodded and left the room quickly. Celestia turned to Crystalia. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
"They've hurt innocent ponies and changelings," said Crystalia. "As much as I'm horrified at the prospect of killing another pony, they deserve what they are going to get." Crystalia hadn't been too thrilled when her sister had attacked Canterlot. So many lives had been wasted in a needless attempt to take something that could be given if she'd asked.
"I understand," Celestia said, nuzzling Crystalia.
They turned to leave, but standing in the door was a sight that should not have been possible, considering they were in the middle of Canterlot.
In the door stood four changeling queens, chitin black as the darkest night, manes and tails a dark purple and eyes that were a shade of purple. With them were two young queens and an encore of guards, covered in black obsidian armor that bore the marks of battles long forgotten.
This was the Black Changeling Royal Family.
"We would speak with you."