Mimic wasn’t the average changeling. He had a trait most changelings did not have, ambition. Chrysalis favored him for that. Another trait he had was finding flaws in things. He saw that Chrysalis’s lust for power would eventually leave her people hungry. At first he ignored this because he wouldn’t be one of the ones that would end up starving. A few years later he realized that he could save the changelings by making a pact with the ponies. He brought this proposal to the queen and she rejected it. That's when he decided to take matters into his own hooves. He assembled a group of one hundred fifty changelings and told them of his idea of going to equestria to make a pact. They all agreed that it was a good idea. So he asked them if they would join him on his journey to equestria. Only fifty said they would and the other one hundred said they would help with the plan. The next few weeks they gathered supplies. Then the day came for the journey, but there was a complication. The queen found out and tried to stop them from leaving. The fifty made it out but they one hundred that helped died defending them. After they escaped they began their journey to equestria, but when they finally made it they were cast out of every city or town they went to. They gave up after the tenth town rejected them, and they settled in the Everfree. During the next year most of the warriors died protecting the ‘civilians’ of the group. Mimic always wondered if he had done something different maybe more of his friends would still be alive. One day something happened that changed everything. A flaming ball fell from the sky wrecking miles of forest. At first Mimic and the others thought it was caused from a dragon. Until they heard voices coming from the affected area. Mimic and three others went to investigate and found a metal craft of some kind. After they were captured Mimic met someone who offered him and his friends a chance, a chance to help all of changeling kind.
---------------------------------- The Armory ----------------------------------
Mimic followed Astor to the armory where the arms master Jericho was.
“Well Sergeant, what can I do for you?” Jericho asked.
“We have a commission for this changeling.” Astor said.
“My name is Mimic.” Mimic said.
“Who is ordering this commission?” Jericho asked.
“The Commander.” Astor said.
“The Commander? Well aren’t you lucky. So is it just armor?” Jericho asked.
“No, a weapon of his choice as well.” Astor said.
“Hmm, ok. Mimic stand still while I scan you for your measurements.” Jericho said.
“Ok…” Mimic said slowly.
Jericho pulled out a device from a cabinet and switched it on. It produced a blue light that surrounded Mimic which startled him and made him stumble backwards.
“It doesn't hurt trust me. Just stay still.” Jericho said.
Mimic nodded and then took a step forward and then went still.
“Good, now just relax. This should only take a few seconds.” Jericho said.
Jericho started up the device again and the blue light surrounded Mimic again. He stood perfectly still. It lasted for about thirty seconds before the light faded.
“Done. Now, your armor, what color do you want?” Jericho asked.
“Black.” Mimic said.
“Should have guessed.” Jericho said.
“So, what's it going to be made of?” Mimic asked.
“Compact Nanofibers and Lazarus Titanium. Its is over nine hundred times stronger than steel. It will have some other components as well which will triple your strength.” Jericho said.
“That… That is not physically possible.” Mimic said. “That's stronger than a dragon's scales!”
“Dragon scales? There are dragons here?” Astor asked.
“Yes, there are dragons. Most of them live in the badlands mountains. There are very few around here though.” Mimic said.
“Well, those scales might be useful in improving my armors. Tell me Mimic, bo you know where one of these dragons are?” Jericho asked.
“I have only seen one dragon in the everfree, it lives in a cave about two miles west of where we live.” Mimic said.
“Yes commander.” Astor said through a strange device “Mimic, I have orders to take you to the commander as soon as we finish here.”
“Well then, we better get your weapon picked out then. What do you want?” Jericho asked.
“Can you enchant swords?” Mimic asked.
“In a way, what do you have in mind?” Jericho asked.
“I would like a pair of elemental short swords.” Mimic said.
“A challenge. This order will be difficult. I can have them done in a few days.” Jericho said.
The door to the armory opened and three new changelings entered.
“Mimic. Is it true? Are we allying with these creatures?” Replay asked.
“Yes, they have offered us a chance at a future.” Mimic said.
“Hopefully you are right in trusting them, all our lives rest in their hooves now.” Replay said.
“Don’t worry Replay. We can trust them.” Mimic said.
“Well now that you have your gear ordered we should get going. The commander wants you.” Astor said.
Astor lead Mimic out of the armory and to the commander's office. It was a quick walk. Taking less than three minutes. Mimic was surprised at the size of the office. It seemed large enough to be a house. The next thing he noticed were the six ponies and the commander.
“Ah, glad you could make it here so soon. I trust you have your equipment ordered?” I asked.
“I do.” Mimic said.
“A changeling.” Stone growled.
“I have never seen a changeling before.” Healing said trotting closer to Mimic.
“Be careful, that changeling might steal your soul!” Stone yelled.
“Stone, you are no longer required here.” I said. I snapped my fingers and he disappeared in a flash of white light. “Don’t worry, i just sent him back to Canterlot.”
Healing continued towards Mimic. She circled around him looking at him carefully. Not missing any detail.
“So, you’re a changeling.” Healing said.
“I am.” Mimic replied.
“Well, all of you will have time to chat on your way to Mimics village. You are needed to escort the rest of the changelings back.” I said.
“Are you coming with us?” Captain Sharp asked.
“No, unfortunately I have some paperwork and sleep to catch up on.” I said solemnly.
“Well, Commander, until next time. Mimic, take us to your village.” Captain Sharp said.
“Commander, I would like to go with.” Astor said.
“Request granted.” I said.
The group left leaving me to my work. I looked over at the stack of paper which seemed to have doubled since I last checked.
“Well… I guess I won't be getting sleep tonight.” I sighed.
---------------------------------- The Edge of the Everfree Forest ----------------------------------
“So Mimic, how far in is your village?” Tea Leaf asked nervously.
“About two miles in.” Mimic said.
Healing and Tea Leaf froze up but quickly continued forward.
“Listen up, stay on your guard and keep your weapons ready.” Captain Sharp said.
Embers created several balls of fire to light up the area around them. Which caused a nearby creature to stir.
“So Embers, why don’t you talk much?” Healing asked.
Embers did not reply with words but with a fierce glare at Healing. Which caused Healing to flinch.
“Ok, sorry I asked.” Healing said.
“Don’t mind Embers, she just doesn’t like to talk.” Captain Sharp said.
“Did you hear that?” Astor asked.
The group stopped moving and went dead quiet. There was the sound of something running through the forest and it was getting closer. The ponies to defensive stances while Astor raised his rifle. Five timberwolves jumped out of some nearby shrubbery a few yards away and continued on whimpering as they ran past the group.
“What could scare timberwolves?” Darkest asked.
“Yeah, I thought timberwolves were fearless. Especially in a pack.” Healing said.
“Stay alert. If the wolves are running something much worse must be chasing them.” Captain Sharp said.
In the distance there was a pained howl that was cut short abruptly with a loud bone crunching sound. Which left the forest completely silent.
“Guys, I think we should get going.” Astor said.
“Agreed, Darkest you take to the sky and warn us if you see anything.” Captain Sharp said.
“Captain, do you know what that is out there?” Tea Leaf asked.
“It might be a dragon.” Captain Sharp said.
“If it was a dragon… There would be more fire…” Embers said quietly.
“Then what is it?” Tea Leaf asked.
“It could be anything.” Captain Sharp said.
The group picked up the pace. They got about a mile in before Darkest came down and rejoined the group.
“Captain something is coming this way fast.” Darkest said.
“Did you see what it was?” Captain Sharp asked.
“It was moving too fast.” Darkest said.
“I'm picking up movement.” Astor said raising his rifle and aiming into the darkness of the forest.
Darkest raised his bow and Embers readied her flames. The others unsheathed their their swords preparing for a fight. What they saw next put fear in their hearts. It quickly jumped into the treetops vanishing from view.
“It can’t be.” Captain Sharp said fearfully.
“Sharp, what the hell was that thing?!” Astor asked.
“It's Mor'grol.” Captain sharp said.
“Isn’t that creature a legend?” Tea Leaf asked.
“It is, but the legend is real.” Captain Sharp replied.
“How would you know?” Darkest asked.
“Seven years ago me and twelve other elite guards were sent in the forest to capture it. It killed all but myself and our captain at the time, Burning Blaze. We thought we had killed it but I guess it survived somehow.” Captain Sharp said.
“What is this legend?” Astor asked.
“I’ll tell you later, right now we need to get to the changeling village. Hopefully we will…” Captain Sharp was cut off as the creature fell from the treetops and sliced through the side of his armor leaving a long shallow gash in his side. “Ahhhhhh!” Captain Sharp screamed out.
“Covering fire!” Astor yelled firing at the creature.
Healing rushed over to the captain and started using her magic to heal his wound. The creature was wearing a blue armor that deflected the rifle blasts, however Astor scored a hit on the creature's shoulder causing it to shriek out in pain. It charged Astor and tried to slice him, but a fire blast knocked it back several feet. When it hit the ground it got back up and ran off into the forest.
“Move!” Astor ordered.
Healing picked up Sharp in her magic and the group began sprinting towards the changeling village. The creature continued jumping from tree to tree following them.
“Mimic did you know about this creature?” Astor asked while they were running.
“No, I have never seen it before.” Mimic answered.
“I can see the village up ahead! We are almost there!” Tea Leaf exclaimed.
Astor stopped and began firing at the creature scoring several hits on its armor. It seemed to slow it down a little. The creature then retreated back into the forest. Astor let out a sigh and began running to catch up with the rest of the group. After a short run he caught up with them in the changeling village. If you could even call it a village. There were several weak looking huts made of sticks and hay. It looked as if a good gust of wind could knock most of them over. Inside the huts were changelings cowering only three were out in defensive stances with crudely made spears.
“Mimic! Are you alright?” One of the changelings asked.
“Yes I am Mirror.” Mimic replied.
“Why are there ponies with you?” Another changeling snarled.
“They were enlisted to escort us back.” Mimic said.
“Where?” Another asked.
“Everyling listen, we have found a place that will accept us. They promised us shelter.” Mimic said aloud. “They will even help us get food.”
“We can’t trust the ponies! It's probably a trap!” Mirror said.
“Who said anything about ponies being the ones to offer you all this?” Astor asked walking into view. “The ponies have nothing to do with it.”
“It is true, we have found a new race, one that is willing to give us all a chance.” Mimic explained.
“We need to get moving, that creature could come back any minute Sharp said.
“No, we should stay, at least until I finish healing your wound. It should only take a few minutes.” Healing said.
“Come with us please, we have a chance to live in peace.” Mimic begged.
“Hmm, we will discuss this with everyone.” Mirror said. “Come Mimic, tell us everything.”