As far as the eye could see there was nothing but snow and ice, there wasn’t a single tree nor a blade of grass and no birds or animals. By all appearances it looked like the old ruler of the crystal empire had returned, bringing not just the cold of winter but the lifelessness as well.
The land appeared inhospitable. However, 10 black shapes milled busily about, digging in the snow with their wholly-covered hooves. A cold bone chilling wind blew through the mountain making the fingers grasp their cloaks closer to their bodies for any warmth they possessed. But they continued their digging.
The group had been out there since the sun had risen and had worked nonstop. Now that the sun was starting to set the workers were tired physically, however their determination for the goal they were given drove them on. No matter how cold or sore they became they would finish their task.
Another gust of wind blew through the mountain , but this time it wasn’t just cold air in the wind but a faint but unmistakable sound of a train whistle. This made nine of the figures stop their work for the first time since they got to the mountain, and turn to look nervously at one another.
The train whistle came again this time it sounded closer.
The small group rushed to the side of the mountain. Even though the train was far below them, the group could still make out its’ faint outline far below, and the unmistakable sparkle, from the setting sun , confirmed the identity of the tran as the Crystal Empire’s royal express.
“ Quite your gouging and get back to work!”
The Nine of them quickly turned around.
“Yes Captain.” they said in unison and they hurried back to their digging spots .
“I don't see why you men are so scared, we are to far away for those ponies to see us.” he said the word ponies like he was spitting out a foul taste.
“yet the sound of a train whistle, sends you scampering for the hills. Its just my luck that I was to be given the most cowardly group of changelings that ever lived throughout Equestra.”
The nine changelings looked at one other sheepishly.
“ We don't mean to be so cowardly Captain .. its just.. well its just that our previous encounters with ponies did not turn out the best... fors use .” one changeling nervously buzzed, the other eight slowly nodded in consent.
The changeling captain scowled. “which is why we’re out here” he snarled. “Our great Queen sensed there is a powerful weapon, out in this accursed waste land and we will not stop digging until we have acquired it. So get back to work!” He roared.
Silence fell as the group got back to their arduous task.
“Do we even know what were looking for?” one changelings murmured to his neighbour.
“The Queen didn't give us any description of what this object look like.” his neighbour hastily whispered “However she did say we sense it would it once we had found it.”
Accepting this answer,the work again counted in it deathly silence.
It was only when the sky had turned a shade of red from the setting sun did the group find something.
“C-c- caption!” one of the workers cried, “ I think I found it”
The small group of changelings scampered around and encircled the speaker.
“Let me in, Let me see!” the captain yelled as he pushed his way to the center of the group to see what had been found.
Even though the sun’s light was quickly fading, the group could still see a, strange discoloration in the snow. But stranger than that, was the malevolent throb that emanated from the center of the discolored patch of snow.
“What are you all waiting for, an invitation? Get to work and dig it up.”
On queue, four of the changelings started digging with their black hooves.
In matter of minutes the item was cleared of the snow that was covering it. As if the snow that covered the item had some manner of protection, the malevolent throb turned into an overwhelming pulse of malice.
The captain picked up the small item and inspected it in the dying light; it was around the size of one of their own horns, the only difference being this one was cresent shape and its color was a deep red.
A grin spread across the captains features as he placed the object into the pocket of his traveling cape.
“Pack up your things, men we’re leaving this wasteland.”
Eighty of the figures ran off to follow the captain's orders wrapping and packing up their supplies. However one the changeling tentatively approached their leader.
“ Are we heading back home now sir?” he asked hopefully.
“No, not yet” the captain replied. “Our queen wishes us to meet her in a different location.”
“Then if you don’t mind me asking, sir, where are we heading?”
The captain turned away from the trembling figure, and looked out at the distance ahead of them.
“Ponyville” he growled.