//------------------------------//
// 18. Soldier On 
// Story: The Teal Changeling 
// by MrAlterad 
//------------------------------//


**This chapter has an intense fight in it. Just a heads up.**    




The Weather Orb, an ancient artifact from a forgotten era. The Celestial Orb. Stone of the Sleeper. Eye of the Sands. It's known many names, and passed through many hooves. Its ability to draw in and convert magic had always given it purpose through the ages.

Now, it floated in the center of a swirling vortex. Cracked and fractured, it continued to draw in magic with abandon, taking in more than its compromised shell could muster. It drew in from the surrounding clouds, infused by pegasi magic. It consumed the essence powering the nearby storm the very orb birthed. It even reached out, tugging on a small changeling's heat enchantment.

It shined bright, a beacon of raw magic, the city it called home now nothing more than dark, energized clouds. As it was pulling power in, so was power escaping through the cracks, only to be drawn back in, only to escape again. On and on, the vortex of its old home spun and crackled.

Then, everything came to a standstill. It was full. For the first time in an age, the artifact was full. The crack in the orb grew, spewing out power, making the orb eager to be complete again. So it reached out to draw in more magic to fill that void, grasping out towards the heat spell several miles away, spreading out towards the storm and the magic-rich earth below.

But as it grasped on that extra power, what amount escaped had already been pulled back. It was already full, as it began to draw in more. It touched the ground first, and drawing that power in, the orb shined violently, before erupting.

The thundercloud was torn apart, cyclonic winds flying out as a pillar of lightning was born. It struck the earth in a thick bolt, which branched out into the sky, spreading out in all directions as a blinding tree of electricity.

One branch touched the source of the heat spell, causing it to flicker and dissipate. A cry of alarm shouted by a pony and royal guard was drowned out by the shockwave. The thunder, which buried into the earth, traveling through stone and sky at a pace only a rare few pegasi can match.

Tunneling, burrowing, rumbling, fracturing. The dull vibrations made their presence known through the rock, the destruction of the orb being carried beyond the horizon.


~~~~~~~~~~


In the dark, abandoned underground of a long dead hive, the cavern shook violently. Rockslides within the caverns were born from that rumble, shifting stones forming where recently made piles lay. The tremors were powerful, but passed quickly. However, a pile of rubble in a half collapsed room was still moving.

With a desperate burst of strength, a hoof broke free from the pile, its owner pulling itself out, breathing raggedly, desperately, painfully. Sledge was free.

Distancing himself from the stone that sought to be his grave, he took several ragged minutes to collect himself. The darkness answered his reprieve, his gasps echoing off the walls, the only evidence given him to his location. The eye Chrysalis hit in her gambit against him ached, making him gently rub it, before looking into the darkness. Raising a hoof, he focused for a moment, before it was weakly wreathed in amber fire, flickering from his changeling magic, as he lit the cavern.

He saw no sign of the hunter, a fact that brought some reassurance. However, following that confidence, was paranoia. It was hunting him. The encounter in the caves was the fourth time he'd defended himself from the lamia. It was relentless, and likely still looking for him. Thinking this, Sledge looked to the pile of rubble that he'd been buried in, briefly wondering if that pile had in fact saved his life.

Glancing across the room, he noticed a collapsed exit, its small exposed hole at the top filling the guard with purpose. Hunter or not, there were things he still needed to do. Such as carrying out his mission regarding the Moon Princess, or hunting Chrysalis. Or, sating the gnawing hunger in his gullet. Approaching the exit, he started moving rubble out of the way, making the path gradually wider as he started to dig.


~~~~~~~~~~


Not far from the royal quarters, was a circular chamber known as the Ring of Right. Here, changelings came to prove themselves worthy of gaining a title. For most, that required the consent of the previous title holder, as well as a demonstration of skill. For the title of Mantis, it usually entailed a trial by combat. Mantis stood waiting in the ring, Queen Amber looking from on high in anticipation, as Darrin entered the chamber.

The general had been curious to what the soldier had been scheming, but could find no evidence beyond simply besting him in combat, and that unsettled the old drone. He was certain Darrin was up to something. The small smile the queen adopted when he entered only fueled his suspicion.

“The two of you are to battle for your prize,” Amber began, “but you are to treat this fight as a battle for your lives. When I command it over, you will both stop so immediately, and no sooner than that. Understood?”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Darrin and Mantis said in unison.

“Very good. You may begin at your leisure,” she added, making the drone's eyes meet, before they started to circle the room. They eyed each other for several seconds, neither willing to make the first move.

“You do realize,” Mantis began with a smug grin. “That this duel isn't necessary. All you had to do was ask, and I would given you command of the scouting troop,” he chided, making Darrin quickly glance to the queen, scoffing.

“Mantis, none of us here believe that, not for a second.”

“Are you so sure? You didn't even ask. You just up and challenged me.”

“Yes, and that's because I have something to prove,” Darrin said confidently; to which Mantis rose an eyebrow.

Mantis watched with cool eyes while Darrin charged. Head lowered, horn forward. As the younger drone drew close, Mantis stepped to the side with practiced ease, his eyes following his passing opponent. Pivoting on a fore-hoof, Mantis swung his lower body around, catching Darrin in the shoulder and sending him crashing to the ground.

The general jumped up, hoof poised, his aim clear. He blinked as Darrin rolled to the side, avoiding the blow to the head; a small wave of fire spreading from the hoof's impact with the ground. Mantis paused, letting out a calm breath as he watched Darrin hop away. He didn't pursue, waiting for the whelp to make another foolish charge.

Darrin glared, rolling his shoulder for a moment, before readying another charge. Mantis let out a small sigh before taking a heavy step forward. With a buzz of his wings, he leaped over the charge, spinning in the air to keep his eyes on his foe, before casually landing. Darrin's charge continued to the wall before the younger drone hopped and rebounded back. Mantis blinked in surprise.

Mantis took the air again, and wasn't disappointed when Darrin did the same. Mantis spun head over heels, losing sight of the drone, but smiling when he felt his lower hooves connect. The general could feel the air shift as Darrin hit the ground, guiding the next strike. His hooves struck the ground, an irritated look flashing across his face as his opponent rolled out of away.

Darrin backed away, wearing a guarded look, shaking his head to clear it. Mantis considered him for a moment, under the impression Darrin wasn't intending to charge him again. The general's eyes narrowed as he took to the air again. Weaving from side-to-side, his course brought him higher before descending into a dive.

A confident look in Darrin's eyes made Mantis reconsider the decision. Before his dive connected, Mantis shifted around in an attempt to flank the other drone. His eyes narrowed as Darrin moved, his back legs preparing to buck the general. His wings buzzing louder, aching from stress, Mantis brought himself to a mid-air halt. In the same motion, he struck down with his hind legs, catching Darrin in the side.

Amber looked on in surprise. To Mantis, that maneuver felt like it took several seconds to accomplish, to her, it was dealt in less than one. Mantis had turned a dive into a swooping maneuver, avoiding Darrin's attack and striking him down in an instant. She may not be fond of Mantis, but she couldn't deny his skill. As a tactician, or a combatant.

Mantis was oblivious to the queen's awe; too focused on the younger changeling sprawled out in front of him, planning to finish this with a series of consecutive blows. Mantis' eyes widened in surprise as Darrin rose to his hooves and met the incoming attack with a tackle, knocking the breath out of the older drone

Both of them toppled to the ground in a heap. Mantis was the first to get his hooves under him and tried to take advantage; only for his opponent to dodge, to his growing annoyance. With some distance between them, Mantis forced his breathing to remain calm, giving the impression that the blow did little to him. Darrin on the other hoof, was breathing heavily from the damage he's taken. Seeing this, Mantis adopt a smug grin.

“What's wrong Darrin? Can't put a little fire in your attacks?” he asked in a mocking tone, getting a heated look from the younger changeling, who took to the air. Mantis's grin held as Darrin was wreathed in fire and began a diving attack. Mantis stepped forward, his wings buzzing as he took to the air too, looking to meet the charge head on.

That is exactly what he got. The pair crashed together, a blast of fire spreading out from the impact. Both of them fell like a sack of rocks, but Mantis had enough presence of mind to land on his hooves, taking several steps back as Darrin hit the ground. Mantis was seeing stars, making him shake his head. Darrin, also shaking his head, rose to his hooves.

Mantis' cheek was throbbing, and bringing a hoof to it, he felt the distinct impression of a hoof mark. He blinked, before his eyes narrowed upon noticing that no such mark was on his opponent's face. Darrin didn't seem to notice the distinction as he wreathed himself in flame and charged. This prompted Mantis to let out a heated breath; he was already tired of this game. With a quick swipe of his hoof, he kicked up some dirt, causing Darrin to reflexively close his eyes.

Mantis ducked low, his belly touching the ground, his hooves held close as Darrin's charge brought him above. He then hopped up, slamming his back into Darrin's gut, causing him to stagger back. Mantis smiled as he pressed his advantage.

Shoulders, legs, back, head, Mantis struck each in quick, satisfying procession, before bucking Darrin away; sending the warrior rolling across the floor and hard into the wall. Mantis took in several deep breaths, collecting himself before glancing to the queen.

Amber had a concerned look on her face, her eyes on Darrin. A fact that didn't surprise the general, though it still aggravated him. His ears then perked when he heard a chuckle from his opponent. He glanced to Darrin, who was getting to his hooves, wobbling slightly, before standing tall, still laughing.

“I fail to see what's so amusing,” Mantis said flatly.

“It's- It's just, my sparring partner hits harder,” Darrin said, making Mantis blink, before his eyes narrowed, “Won't she be surprised when I tell her.”

“She?” Mantis said, before his eyes widened in realization.

“If you want me to stay down,” Darrin began, giving him a determined look, “you're gonna have to hit harder than a hatchling, you old spider.”

Mantis's eyes narrowed, a dangerous gleam shining through them as his wings buzzed in agitation. He stomped the ground, before charging. He saw Darrin lower his head, horn forward. As an experienced tactician, Mantis could see what the younger drone was planing; or so he thought.

He blinked as Darrin shifted his forward body to the side at the last moment, causing the general to crash into Darrin's side, halting the charge. Mantis tried to step back, but Darrin had gotten a hold of him. Before Mantis could figure how to break free, Darrin pulled him around, letting go unexpectedly, causing the older drone to lose his balance.

Mantis's wings flapped frantically as he barely managed to to avoid toppling over. He then staggered back, his eyes shutting as Darrin smashed his helmed head into the general's chin. Mantis fluttered backward while glaring at Darrin's smug look.

Mantis took up a defensive stance as Darrin closed the distance between them. Darrin feinted to the side. Mantis pretended to fall for it, his eyes following the direction of the feint. Darrin struck, believing to have found an opening. In a quick motion, the general shifted his head, bringing his horn directly into Darrin's path. Mantis felt his horn leave its mark on Darrin's leg, before said leg smashed into his helm.

Mantis was sent rolling across the ground; bouncing  twice before skidding to a stop. He shook his head as he rose, his eyes briefly losing focus, before lining them up on Darrin. The younger drone was standing awkwardly, his leg clearly injured, a fact that brought a smile to the general's face.

He struck forth, his sights on that leg, intending to put Darrin down for good. Darrin's eyes widened, before he lowered his horn, looking to mirror what Mantis had just done. The general had to resist the urge to laugh, avoiding the horn with ease and nailing Darrin square on the head.

Darrin was sent sprawling back, crashing into the wall before slumping to the ground. He tried to stagger to his hooves, but Mantis was on him before he could fully rise, his injury slowing him down as Mantis pressed the advantage.

It soon became clear to everyone in the room that the battle had turned in Mantis' favor. Over and over, Mantis struck Darrin down, every time aiming for Darrin's wounded leg. And every time Darrin avoided further lasting harm, he obtained bruises all over his body instead.

Mantis had to admit, the beat-down was very satisfying to administer. It was like several years of pent up animosity were finally getting a small token of release. Sure, Darrin was no    Chrysalis, but he made for an acceptable fill-in.

It was then that he noticed something odd in Darrin's eyes as the younger drone rose to his hooves, for the twelfth time since the bout started. Despite the fact that he was clearly losing, he looked empowered. Mantis's brow furrowed at that, raising a hoof once again to Darrin's wound. This time, the younger drone allowed the attack to make contact.

Mantis' eyes widened in surprise as Darrin let out a pained grunt. The general's shock grew as Darrin grabbed him with his good fore-leg. Their wings buzzing for dominance, Mantis found himself suddenly forced to come to terms with a surprising fact. Darrin was physically stronger than him. That thought seemed to paralyze the general in a moment of confusion, giving Darrin ample opportunity to smash the both of them into the opposing wall in a fiery explosion.

Both of them fell to the ground, still for several moments, before Mantis started to rise. The older drone noted the surprised look in his opponent's eyes at his recovery, before giving Darrin a quick pelt to his wounded leg. Darrin let out a cry of pain, his grip loosening, which Mantis took advantage of to free himself. He then knocked the drone to the ground, and proceeded to thoroughly beat him around, making sure the younger drone wasn't in any state to get back up.

After beating the whelp around the room for another several bouts, Mantis paused, his breathing heavy, his body tired and aching from all manner of bruising. Darrin was still, but breathing, making the general frown. His eyes then widened as Darrin tried to get on his hooves. Mantis shook his head, before charging into the drone again.

Darrin rolled, bouncing off the ground as he did so, before his body crumpled into the wall. Still, his legs shook as he tried to get his hooves under him, unfortunately his body was unwilling to stand. A hoof smashed into the ground next to his head, said hoof swinging to the side to smack Darrin and force him onto his back. The younger drone lay still for a moment as Mantis watched him, a satisfied gleam in his eyes. Still, Darrin started to rise once again while giving Mantis a determined look despite his inability to fight back. Mantis smiled as he raised a hoof, ready to end this.

“Darrin, you wish to keep fighting?” the queen asked, a hoof raised, making Mantis pause in surprise. The general frowned, but remained composed as Darrin nodded. “Why?”

“Because, Queen Amber, I have something to prove. And if I can't do that now, then I might as well never get back up.”

“I see...” Amber replied, a considering look on her face, before she nodded. “Very well, this fight is over,” she said, making Mantis lower his head, taking a step back from Darrin, a dark look hidden in his eyes. “Darrin, you've proven your worth, and I've given your words their due consideration.” Mantis blinked, feeling something was off, giving the queen a look.

“Highness, what words are you referring too?”

“Darrin has admitted to becoming a part of Chrysalis's hive,” she stated coolly, making Mantis look to her a moment longer, before his eyes widened in alarm.

“Then, that means-”

“Darrin, you held against my best fighter better than I thought you would. And your determination is solid. The princess has already accepted you, and I see no reason to keep you here.” Mantis shook his head, seeing where this was going, and seeing no immediate means of combating it. “When the tunnels open up, you're free to go after Princess Chrysalis. You may lead any that will follow you. I'll be expecting you to help her in her goals, and not get in the way of ours. Understood?”

“Clearly, Your Highness,” Darrin said with an accomplished smile, before giving Mantis a cold look.

“Now, let Aid tend to you, then all of us can go over all the details concerning the attack on Canter Town.” She then gave Mantis a smug grin, “Including what part Princess Chrysalis will play,” she added, getting a small smile from Darrin, who bowed, before he started limping out of the room. Mantis and Darrin avoided eye contact as the drone passed the general, both of them well aware that what was started here would be finished at some point. And both felt that it would be sooner, rather than later. After Darrin left, Mantis turned to Amber.

“Highness, this is an unwise action,” he began, turning to his queen. He then faltered, a cold look in her eyes.

“Mantis, it would be wise of you not to pursue this topic. I'm well aware of your contempt of my daughter.” She didn't know the half of it. “Our conquest is on the horizon, and she'll need soldiers she can count on, just as I do.” She then gave Mantis a considering look. “I can count on you, right?”

“Of course, Your Highness,” Mantis replied, keeping his fury held in as he bowed to her.

“Very good. You're dismissed.” He nodded, turning to leave, before pausing, his ears perking up. A weak rumble greeted the hive, knocking dust from the cavern ceiling as the queen looked around in confusion.

“Highness?” Mantis asked.

“Something ... happened. Something far away, and involving a great deal of magic,” she said, a worried look on her face.

“You don't say,” Mantis said, a knowing smile nearly creeping on his face.

“A- Anyway, you're dismissed,” she ordered, getting a nod as he turned.

Thundercloud must have been destroyed. That's what the general thought as he left, softening the minor defeat he found at Darrin's hooves. He then frowned. Another one was now out of his reach. They had slipped away from him. Every. Single. One.

Momo proved to be far stronger than the average worker, and broke free from her captivity. He understood it now, Momo and Darrin had sparred, in secret. Chrysalis had gotten away, backed by luck and unexpected aid from a pony, Lores, and a roaming lamia.

And then, Bulwark slipped away in the dead of night.

Now, Darrin was in a position of importance to the queen. He had no doubt the queen would do more than give Mantis a cold look if something unfortunate befell Chrys's soldier.

But, beyond them, his plans were still in motion. Ultimately, as long as Sledge completed his primary objective, the princess and her clutchlings were little more than bothersome distractions. Thinking that, a smile greeted him, which Darrin caught as Mantis passed where he was being tended, sending a chill down the soldier's spine.

He had faith in his royal guard. Sledge was, as far as Mantis was concerned, the strongest member of the hive.


~~~~~~~~~~


In the center of Equestria stood a tall, isolated mountain. Halfway up its snow buried slopes was a castle, surrounded by a small number of wealthy estates. The castle jutted out from the mountain, its perch giving it a spectacular view of the surrounding lands. It also made the castle cast a protective shadow, which reached out over the village at the mountain's base. A village of stone and wood, covered in snow, Canter Town.

Princess Luna looked down upon it, a cool look in her eyes. To an onlooker, she was the spitting image of a composed leader. To those close to her, they knew just how troubled she was.

Tampa Neigh, Iron Trot, Neighgarou. Three towns lost in the span of a little over a decade. And now, Thundercloud's been evacuated, and out of reach. Luna frowned, the image of the city riddled with holes still fresh in her mind.

She then let out a sigh as she continued to her library. She paused when she entered, her eyes falling to a pegasus wearing a white robe sleeping on the desk. The desk had an assortment of flasks on it, a beaker in the mare's sleeping hoof. Despite being out, the pony had a tired look to her. Luna shook her head, a small smile on her face as her vision shifted, seeing that her knight was lost in a peaceful dream. With a minor spell, the princess continued on, her passing making no sound as she reached her desk.

Her ears perked up when a thunderous boom shook the castle. Her horn tingled, a wave of magic passing by that Luna immediately understood.

The Orb had been destroyed.

“I- I'm awake!” the sleeping mare exclaimed, her cry followed by the sound of glass breaking. “Aww … horsefeathers.”

The pony’s words were lost to the princess, whose eyes darted in thought, the reasons for the damage caused to Thundercloud now clear to her. Another city had been lost, in a torrent of wind and thunder. Princess Luna then blinked, her eyes widening in realization.

Fourth claimed by teeth of wind and thunder. Food's proud visage was torn asunder.

Luna quickly flew to her desk. Her horn glowed, unlocking a hidden cache, revealing an old book. She rubbed the embedded words on the cover, Poetry and Prose, before digging through it, finding the lines that came to mind. As she read through it, the pegasus fluttered over, a tired look in her eyes.

“Princess?” she asked, making Luna falter for a moment.

“Lady Pestle, could you assemble the Shadowbolts?” Luna asked, making the mare adopt a confused look, before nodding.

“You can count on it,” she replied, shaking off her drowsiness, before flying off. Luna then glanced back at the poem in question, Tree's Folly.

The desperate seeds of change to come. In amber leaves, their hunger spun.

Five meals their roots slowly claim. In their bark, born amber flame.

The first swallowed by sea and waves. Leaving naught but empty graves.

Second eaten by earth and stone. Making the black root's path now shown.

Third devoured by brimstone's flame. Meal's eyes scattered by stricken blame.

Fourth claimed by teeth of wind and thunder. Food's proud visage was torn asunder.

Fifth the driven leaves themselves are sent. And in their hunger the tree is rent.

Hope is lost as the amber leaves do fall. An insect's hated poison covers all.

Old leaves of change wilt and wither. Their doomed fate upon them hither.

And upon the sickened ground, a new seed lays. Where it will rest unbloomed, 'til the end of days...

The princess' frowned. She didn't understand all the plant metaphors, but she did pick up on one detail. The towns Equestria has lost were all connected.

Mantis, Princess Chrysalis's father, was he the insect? He set a trap in Thundercloud, ensuring the Orb's destruction, and the city too. Did this mean he also had a part in what happened to the other towns?

Luna glanced to a map of Equestria, expanded to include what they knew of The Badlands. She couldn't find the dreams of the ponies captured from Thundercloud. What of the ponies they never found, in the other cities? What of the dragon, that fervently pleaded innocent to destroying Neighgarou?

Luna had a strong feeling that Chrysalis and her companions knew the answers she sought. And she had just unwittingly sent them into danger, and triggered a devious trap. Luna stepped away from her desk, hearing the library doors open. Rounding the bookcase, she saw her knight, as well as three shadowbolts standing at attention.

Another town was lost, leaving countless ponies displaced. New homes would be needed, and preparations were to be made. The safety of Chrysalis and the others had to be assured. And, according to the poem, there was a fifth city that would be struck.

It was simply a question of where, and when.


~~~~~~~~~~


“...What is this place?” Sledge asked the air, getting a breezy silence in reply as he took in the large cavern. The large forsaken tree, the purple glowshrooms, the statues, and the oddly serene, sacred atmosphere.

Did the princess find this place too?

As he circled the room, it didn't take him long to find the short tree, his eyes widening as he took in Hope's amber leaves. When he came closer to investigate, he found the half-filled bowl of nectar at its base.

His reverence was discarded as he reached for the bowl, hungrily downing it, feeling revitalized and energized by the pure sap. His eyes then fell to the teal flower. A dangerous gleam shined in his stare, and he was tempted to toss the bowl at the flower. The breeze picked up, making Sledge look around in alarm.

Did someone just call my name?

He then looked back to the sapling, only a little taller than he was. He frowned at the flower, before placing the bowl down. He dared not do anything disturbing here, not without notifying Mantis first. He would want to know of this place, of that, Sledge was certain. Glancing at the small tree for a moment longer, he then took to the air, following the breeze on instinct, before finding the cave that led outside.

He had no idea how long he had been buried. He had no idea how he'd be able to track down the princess now. But, that didn't matter. She wasn't his primary goal. He needed to reach Canter Town. But, he had a feeling, a fear, that the hunter was still out there somewhere, just waiting for him to leave his back exposed.

As a changeling, he was no match for that snake. He needed another form. He needed to make a trip to the Dark Forest, home to all manner of monsters. There, he would find the strength he needed.

With that thought fueling his resolve, he made his way out of the mountain, quickly flying north. And as he suspected, it wasn't long before the hunter started to follow him.


~~~~~~~~~~


Darrin was hovering through the lower tunnels, looking for someone. He didn't have to look long, seeing Lores coming out of the Silent Halls. Their eyes met, getting a smile from the soldier, and a bothered look from the worker as she eyed his bandaged leg.

"I swear, is it just you three, or is your entire clutch violent and stubborn?" Lores asked Darrin, who gave her a flustered look.

"It's probably just us," he said with a small smile, before giving her a determined look. "Thank you again, for giving me a discreet audience with the queen. But, aren't you worried Mantis will find out?"

"That's my concern, not yours," Lores replied, eyeing Darrin's bandaged arm for a moment. "She's not gonna be happy when she sees that."

"Well, that's my concern," he assured. "Besides, this right here, is my trump card," the soldier assured, making Lores roll her eyes as she let out a sigh.

"...How do you think the princess is doing?" she asked, curious for his answer.

"Chrys? She's going to be a queen, so she'll be fine. Her body is tougher than ours," he then hesitated, "I'm a little more worried about..." he then shook his head. "Thank you Lores, for the help."

"Don't thank me, I'm just doing what I think is best for our future," Lores replied flatly, tapping Darrin's bandaged arm, getting a wince from Darrin, before Lores left, getting a considering look from Darrin. The future she was afraid of was getting closer with each passing day. Spring was coming, and with it, Equestria, or their hive, would fall...