Pyro walked the streets, his flamethrower at the ready, though finding nothing but pavement and the occasional litter scattered around.
He wondered why the queen had sent him here, of all places- it seemed that there was no-one in sight, just himself and the dark windows of building upon building staring back at him. Suddenly, something scurried in the corner of his vision. He spun, hoping it wasn't a spy, as the pilot light on the end of the flamethrower flickered to life. He saw nothing, but still kept the blue flame going as he turned and continued patrolling the streets. His boots thudded against the sidewalk, echoing off the sparkling jungle around him as they bounced upward, flying into the pure blue sky above.
As far as he knew, there were none of the changelings around, just himself and whatever-else lived here. Though, they weren't any around at the moment, so...
A garbage can fell over behind him, spilling its rotting contents onto the sidewalk as he whirled around, the echo of the metal can reverberating off the buildings. He kept quiet, despite his heart hammering inside his chest, the pilot light still flickering. His index finger on the trigger, he slowly turned, and kept walking down the street. It was then that he saw it- a glittering pony, dressed in armor. It spied him as well, and ducked into an alley. He followed, running after it. The armored, glittering pony was cornered at the end of the alley.
It turned, and stared at him in fear as he approached. It stared at him silently, his eyes conveying what his mouth could not- it wished for mercy, practically begging for it. His mind wouldn't give it, however, and he squeezed the trigger, pumping flames into the end of the alley, engulfing the armored pony. The screams gave him mixed emotions this time, not quite enjoying them when he burnt RED team members to a crisp. He sighed, and turned, finding an entire platoon of the glittering, armored ponies.
He cracked his knuckles, and readied his flamethrower.
"Mumph mumpha!" he cried.
Chrysalis watched as the orange light inside the cavern, three of her guards situated inside, the occasional twitch of a wing in nervousness. She herself sealed off the entrance to the cavern, and if her hunch were correct, it was to prevent-
Her inner thoughts were interrupted as the light faded, revealing a dazed and confused crystal pony dressed in armor appeared. The changelings seized him, and dragged him out of the room by his hooves.
Once she was alone, her gaze slowly drifted to the spot of orange light. Despite her detached feelings towards the spirit, she found herself wishing its safe return to the hive.
'He's of use to the future of the hive, nothing more' she reminded herself.
Two more changelings filtered into the cavern, through the shield, and stood a good distance away from the light. It wasn't long before another crystal guard appeared, just as dazed as the one before him. The changelings once again 'escorted' the guard down the hall and out of sight.
The members of the Crystal guard ran (with dignity of course), seeing as everything they did had absolutely no effect on the dragon-like creature whatsoever. Whenever they got close, it would torch all those in range.
Gem Shine charged the creature, her spear ready to run through its back. It suddenly turned, and she felt herself being blasted backwards, pushed by a massive gust of wind. She landed, and looked up, spying the soulless black eyes boring down upon her as it revved the contraption attached to its back.
A pitiful rock struck its head, and it turned, turning to glare at the Crystal Prince himself.
"Away from her!" he shouted, picking up another pebble in his magic.
It turned, and turned to face him.
"Huddah huh!" it shouted, running towards him.
The prince dodged, avoiding its charge, and he turned, shutting down the creature's attack by trapping it in a bubble of magic.
It slammed its fists onto the dome, attempting to force its way out as the prince held fast, keeping it surrounded.
"Keep up the blockade!" the prince shouted, slightly startling the crystal guards as he kept the creature trapped inside the bubble.
"Yessir!" the chanted, half of them cantering off in each direction to carry out the order.
The remaining guard followed him through the streets, assisting him in keeping the monster contained as they carried it towards the castle. Inside its prison, it struggled, still attempting to break loose.
"What should we do with it, highness?" a crystal stallion asked, looking to the co-ruler.
"Keep it surrounded twenty-four/seven," he stated "and nopony releases it until we find out why it attacked the Crystal Empire"