It was mid-evening; the sun was resting on top of the distant mountains. The rays were resting on a dark tent and inside were two ponies. One was a bat-pony with armor as black as night, his mane and tail burning a blue fire and his eyes were red as the blood in his veins with pupils that could cut through a lesser soul with a purple mist emitting from it. His name is Black Wing. The other was a unicorn with eyes similar to her grey-coated colleague. However; unlike him, her mane was a color similar to a traditional fire, she wore a dark grey cloak and always had a book of basic combat spells in her saddle bag, just in case. Her name is Dark Horn.
“No.” Black Wing said.
“It’ll work.” Dark Horn assured.
“How can you be sure? The recon team wasn’t able to get close enough to determine the defenses.”
“I’m starting to get the feeling you don’t trust me Black Wing.”
Black Wing’s mane started to intensify itself. “Damn it sis’! This ‘plan’ of yours includes throwing our newest recruits on the front lines! These men need time to at least have a chance to get their hooves wet before they outlive their usefulness.”
The lightly grey unicorn took a deep breath. “How many times must I tell you? Don’t refer to me as your sister! Just because the same pony created me, you, Black Hoof, and does not mean I am your sister. If you need me you will call me as the name our creator gave us, Dark Horn.”
“Oh my gosh I can’t get just one catapult ready in peace can I?”
An Earth pony walked in, her mane was similar to Dark Horn but it had more orange and yellow. Her coat though was of the dark grey similar to Black Wing, but she did have one thing in common they all shared the same eye color with the shade of green and purple mist emitting from it.
“What is it this time you two?”
“This ‘tactician’ wouldn’t know what potential was even if it slapped her pretty face.” Black Wing answered.
Dark Horn’s cheeks started turning red, but it couldn’t compare to her mane, which was getting flashier and hotter.
“Black Wing! You and I both know that every solider is expendable; in every game of chess each player needs pawns to take the brunt of the attack so that the stronger pieces can clean up any leftovers. But if it suits you we can easily get more ‘recruits’ from up north.”
“No!” Black Wing said angrily. “While that does sound great, there would only be mares and foals left to mine the crystals, and if we lose them we lose their motivation to try and not get killed, and thus we lose our ability to make weapons and armor. The more experienced fighters should lead the front lines and the new guys should give them support.”
Black Hoof then proceeded to groan in annoyance. “Black Wing you of all ponies should know that everypony is expendable, besides if it means getting rid of the ones who are too weak then by all means.”
Black Wing knew that he couldn’t pose a better argument because she was right. Most the new recruits were “volunteers” and he couldn’t shape them up in time even if he trained them from now to when the sun set for the third time they still wouldn’t be ready. Dark Horn grinned with a slight “ha” knowing she had the upper hoof.
“But Black Wing is right.”
“He is?” Dark Horn said with astonishment.
“Yes. While that Chess analogy you posed was true, unlike chess we don’t have the option of simply starting over, once your pawns are gone their gone. No do overs. And if you weren’t busy in here studying battle plans you would know that we are about to face a strong enemy and after this our army is going to be smaller no matter what we do, so why don’t we try to lessen this.”
Black Wing walked over to the map, and did some rearranging of the pieces. “Alright Dark Horn, I rearranged the field a bit.” Dark Horn saw Black Wing’s adjustments to the front lines; her eyebrows began to cross because it might actually work. As Black Wing explains, “It’s simple. We mix the front lines with some of our more experienced soldiers with the new recruits. By doing this will weed out those not necessary for war, and our army won’t be in serious decline. Now when do we discuss the full scope of this plan you came up with Dark Horn?”
Dark Horn grinned when Black Wing asked this question. As soon as he saw this he knew what was coming. More like who was coming.
All the candles in the lanterns suddenly went out, then a cold chill crept into the tent. A normal pony would be paralyzed with fear or at least be miles away running in fear. But what Black Wing, Black Hoof, and Dark Horn had in common were two things: they were created on the same day by the same pony, and they aren’t normal ponies. The three immediately stood in a side-by-side line at attention, as black smoke made its way into tent they didn’t flinch, because after going through it enough times it was the norm to them. The smoke then centered itself near the map but then it moved in front of the ponies that stood before it, then it began to take form, the candles then lit themselves almost as quickly as they went out. When the light reached the figure it showed a unicorn with black and red armor, a grey coat, a black mane, and red eyes with a purple haze emitting from its eyes, and a red horn upon its head. His name was feared throughout the north. His name is King Sombra, the ruler of the Crystal Empire.
“I assume that a plan has been agreed upon.” Sombra said with a hiss.
Black Wing stepped forward “Yes sir. Some parameters to the initial plan had to be modified but it shouldn’t change the result.”
Sombra had look that appeared to be a mix of surprise and anger, but mostly anger. “What kind of changes are we talking about?”
Black Wing and Dark Horn didn’t know how to answer; they never were good when dealing with conversations. Black Hoof decided to snap them out of it. “Sire, we agreed that instead of using the new recruits solely for the front lines here we should let some of our more experienced soldiers lead most of the platoons.”
As soon as Sombra had heard this he laughed and turned his head to Black Wing. “Oh Black Wing, knowing you this had to have been your initial thought yes?”
Black Wing stood firm and with confidence, “Yes my lord, I believe that we shouldn’t underestimate the enemy despite who we’re dealing with.”
“They are nothing but damned insects! We have an empire that could rival that pathetic country Equestria! Now tell me why we should risk some of our best men over some damn slaves?
Black Wing cleared his mind and quickly made a decision. “Never underestimate an animal once its been backed into a corner. Sir.”
Sombra stepped toward Black Wing, and looked straight into his eyes. His stare so stern one would think he was peering into your soul. “Hahaha, that’s good point Black Wing, I knew there was a reason why I put you as my commander. Now then you three come with me to the war table, we need to go through what’s happening and what your orders are.”
The four ponies gathered around the table that appeared to be a detailed model of the environment, mountains and all. On the board there were five different sets of pieces. There were blue pieces on a mountain that overlooked a giant fort like structure that was colored black. Directly across from the black fort there was another set of pieces, these were colored green. Behind the green pieces there was a set of red pieces and behind them were a set of yellow pieces.
“Now Dark Horn give us a run down of each team’s orders.”
Dark Horn nodded her head in confidence. “Yes sir!” She then picked up a stick with her magic and pointed at the red pieces.
“Black Hoof your going to be in charge of the artillery here. But the most you can do is give the front lines covering fire but even then that won’t be enough. Until Black Wing’s team destroys the defenses you won’t be able to get close enough to siege the hive.”
Dark horn then moved the stick to the blue pieces.
“Now then, Black Wing I want you and your pegasai troopers to head to this mountain about five miles away from the hive, your teams will consist of normal fighters, dive bombers, and an elite squad with you at the lead. Your orders are to destroy as many defenses as you can so that the artillery can get close enough, and then infiltrate the main hive under the cover of the chaos and destroy the nest and current queen. With luck our front lines will give the enemy forces such a ruckus that they’ll give their full attention to them so slipping in should be met with minimal resistance.”
Dark Horn then pointed at the green set of pieces.
“The front lines will have some ground to cover so Black Wing, you and your men will have to do some waiting on the mountain side in order to have maximum surprise. It will take some time to get there but if we get there on time, the night watch will be dealing with fatigue and the day watch won’t be up yet. When your men are on the mountain remember to have small fires and stay low to the ground. Last thing we need are those bugs on alert.”
Sombra smiled at Dark Horn’s planning, clearly making her the main tactician was the best idea he thought of. He then turned his attention to the rest of his staff. “Now that you have your orders your dismissed, Black Wing go check on the field commanders and make sure they know what is needed of them. Black Hoof go get the artillery ready to move, we don’t want them collapsing from enemy fire and make sure we have enough fire rounds for maximum carnage.”
Black Wing and Black Hoof knew their orders and proceeded to leave the tent. But Black Wing had a few things he wanted to clear up. “Excuse me milord, I only have a few questions.”
Sombra appeared calm. “Speak quickly.”
“Sir what are these yellow and red pieces on the map signifying?”
“Oh that will be our reserve forces, Dark Horn and I will be handling them. Our task is that we will bring up the rear while making sure none escape or try to run.”
“Are you referring to the bugs or our men?”
Sombra and Dark Horn looked at each other and grinned. “The answer is yes.”
“You know I hate it when you two look at each other, it gives me the creeps. Like what is it some kind of father-daughter unicorn telepathy thing?”
Dark Horn laughed because the one thing she enjoyed was keeping Black Wing in the dark as much as possible, something about it just gave her satisfaction. “Black Wing our King created us in many ways, he made sure you could handle his military style, Black Hoof to have the same ruthless but calculating might, and off course he made me to have his smarts, after all it was his smarts that lead to his conquest for power.”
“Yes, yes now can we move on to the last point? We have no idea what kinds of anti-air defenses they have.”
“Black Wing we don’t know if they have anti-air defenses.”
“Sis with all due respect they have wings and if they were that stupid we wouldn’t need an army to bring them down.”
Dark Horn growled because Black Wing knew he struck a cord but they had bigger things to worry about. “Black Wing none of my scouts reported any anti-air defense of any kind maybe they only scramble them when they need to, which is why we need to get the drop on them. Now unless you have anymore questions you can leave and brief the troops.”
“Yes ma’am I’ll see you when the time comes.” Black Wing then exited the tent, while he wasn’t fond of the field commanders he had to tell them what they needed to know. “Urgh, Okay Black Wing lets just make this as quick and painless as possible, besides there’s not even a guarantee that these guys will survive.” He said to himself.
Luckily for Black Wing one of the field commanders was nearby, and he was…tolerable. His name was Lightning Charge, and like his name suggested he was one hell of a front linesman and was quick on his hooves. As Black Wing approached him he noticed that he was helping a pony up, he looked new most likely one of the new recruits.
“C’mon Scroll, you’ll be fine just remember what I taught you.”
“Sir, I’m s-scared. I’ve never held a weapon before and I’m only just record keeper.” The pony said just before collapsing.
Lightning Charge picked him up. “Hey look at me son, I was just a farmer and just like you I had no combat experience. Once the King conscripted me due to low numbers I didn’t know what to expect but if it meant uniting the land under one banner than so be it. Now look at me, I’m one of the head commanders for our King’s army.”
“You’re right! I’m not one for fighting, but after this the records will show the triumphant victory of our King’s army!” The young pony then left to join the other soldiers in his platoon.
Lightning Charge knelt along side his spear and let a sigh not out of relief but out pity, he didn’t know why but he had feeling that this battle would be different. He then noticed that Black Wing was standing near him.
“Heh, you always were one for the motivational speeches.” Black Wing said.
Lightning immediately went to attention. “Sir! The men are being prepped and will be ready to move out by 2400 hours.”
“At ease Commander, I’m here to brief you on the plan we came up with.”
Lightning Charge then relaxed. “So what is the plan sir?”
“Before that, question. Who was that pony you were speaking to earlier? New recruit?”
“Oh him? Yeah that was Scroll Keeper. He came in with the new batch not too long ago. He’s a bit of a timid one, but don’t worry he’ll be ready for the charge.”
“You like the kid don’t you?” Black Wing pressed.
“Permission to speak freely sir?”
“Well you now have my curiosity so go ahead Commander.”
“These guys he came with; I’d wager these guys are barbarians, mercenaries, criminals. Sir he’s a record keeper, a record keeper! He isn’t a warrior! He should be back in the empire making sure the workers are in good health.”
Black Wing thought about yelling at him but he didn’t have time to deal with it, he did give him permission to speak freely. “Look normally I would yell saying ‘your out of line,’ but I don’t have time so I’m going to be blunt with you. I don’t care.”
Lightning’s attitude immediately shifted to one of anger. “Sir he doesn’t deserve this.”
“Well guess what? Not my problem. I don’t care what his job was, I only care if he can fight and not die within the first ten minutes of a fight. Now stand at attention Commander.” Lightning had no choice but to comply. “Now then, here are your orders, at first you were going to lead from the back while that Keeper kid and the other platoons advance from the front lines. But out of my good graces alone I managed to convince the others to let some of our more experienced men lead with them. You know what that means? You’ll have plenty of time to get all buddy-buddy with him because you’re going with him. Now then you know where to go from here now get out of my sight.”
“Yes sir.” Lightning Charge then left to brief his men on what was happening, praying that at least some of them would make it out.
Black Wing then moved to the armory tent there wasn’t anypony important to talk to on the way there and he wanted to clear his head.
“You know this whole love-hate relationship you have with Lightning Charge is quite adorable to watch. I think you secretly like him.” Said an all too familiar voice from behind him.
“Your sarcasm has been noted and disregarded Black Hoof.” Black Wing said in a disgruntled tone.
“Ha! Lets be honest here that was the most fun you’ll have for the next 24 hours. So what brings you here?”
Black Wing growled. “Don’t you have some catapults to prepare or something?”
“I do but it can wait right now. I know why you’re here and I came here to give it to you.”
Black Wing turned towards her. “You have it? When did they finish it?”
“Shortly before the meeting took place, I was going to give it to you after the meeting to save you the trip but I didn’t know about your little plan. Nice job by the way asserting yourself with Dark Horn. Usually it ends up with you having a black eye and bruises on your face.”
“Thank you. I think.” Black Wing said with a blank look.
“Now then here’s your new toy try not to break it, it’s not exactly easy to make.” Black Hoof then handed Black Wing a triangular object and took her leave.
“Hey Black Hoof!” Black Wing shouted. Black Hoof then turned back to face the stallion. “Thanks, maybe when this is all done we can actually sit down and breathe for a few minutes.”
“Heh, I wouldn’t mind that either Black Wing. Oh and just in case you don’t know we actually do care, Dark Horn, Sombra, and I. You’re one of our sharpest minds and we don’t know what we would do without you. Good luck out there.”
“Thanks Sis.”
Black Hoof then smirked and took her leave.
Black Wing looked around to make sure nopony was too close and then pressed the base of the object and then out of the base came a dark colored metal handle. “Good, extended handle, lets see how far you can go.” He then pointed the spear upwards and twisted it. The blade of the top then opened up into three triangles somewhat resembling a triton and it shot upwards. “Heh, at least it’s nice to know their glad that mission was more than successful.” He then pulled it down for measuring. Noticing that it was six feet in length he knew he would have to be careful when using the extension mechanic. Use it too early the weight of the blade would pull it downward, thus leaving him open to any counter attack. Luckily they would have to be quicker than he was and that rarely happened. He put the spear away on his mount and turned towards a band making some noise. He knew them all too well. They were the men he was leading into battle with.
Black Wing walked over to the tent and didn’t bother making himself known, and then he heard a familiar voice from a red pegasus.
“And then he said ‘please don’t kill me sir I surrender’ well unfortunate for him I wasn’t in the mood to take prisoners so I did the appropriate thing and stabbed him in his ribs he then started to tear up and gasp for air naturally. So I was a gentlecolt about it and apologized since I was aiming for his heart. But clumsy me I wasn’t at my best at aiming so after I got his forelegs and hind legs the old bastard started to shit everywhere anyway I wasn’t going to clean up that mess so I ended it and moved on. And that is how I took out the enemy general.”
There was a collective cheer around the pegasai and it was obvious he was reveling in it. He raised his mug and just laughed.
“Really Storm Starter? You left out the juicy part,” Black Wing said with an evil smirk. The others around him suddenly went silent. “You forgot to mention that you were so tipsy from raiding his cellar that day that while you were leaving you slipped in fell on his corpse! You were covered in his blood AND shit that day!” The other ponies in the tent started laughing like there was no tomorrow. The pegasus in the center of all this however was very embarrassed he took a huge gulp of his mead, it didn’t feel like enough.
After the other pegasai settled down Black Wing sat next to the story telling pegasus “Why do you enjoy ruining my fun?” Storm Starter said.
“Simple, because its fun.” Black Wing said proudly.
“Ah hahaha,” Storm said sarcastically. “So what’s the plan?”
“Simple. Men can I have your attention?” The other pegasai all turned quiet and looked towards their leader. Black Wing then pointed towards the map with his wing. “Men, this is what’s going to happen. We’re going to move out shortly to set up here on this ridge about five miles away from the changeling hive. We aren’t to engage or make our presence known to them until the next night so no large fires.” He then moved his wing to the big X on the map. “Our orders are to move in under the cover of night and the fatigue of their night shift and bomb their position so they don’t have much to hold our ground troops off.” His wing then pointed to a position south of the hive. “The ground troops will move in to distract their ground troops. Officially the ground troops were told that we would secure the area and be ready to open the gate. But unofficially we are to do no such thing, this is because our target is the queen and her nest, if we were to open the gate and then try to over take the hive the queen will grab her eggs and run to start again. So in a sense we are giving her a false sense of security, why run if you think everything is fine?” Black Wing then grabbed a mug of mead. “I’m not going to lie to you, this will be a dangerous mission. We don’t know if they have any anti-air defenses so we’re going have to move fast so they don’t have a chance to use it. Some of you probably won’t be coming back from this and I say this to you. You are all some of the most messed up pegasai I’ve ever had the pleasure to serve with from the extermination of the siren filth to the invasion of that pathetic little town of Las Pegasus. Now raise your mugs together as comrades and enjoy yourselves. Now tell me men are you ready to swash some insects?”
“YEAH!!”
“I can’t hear you? Are you ready to destroy some menial insects?”
“HELL YEAH!!”
“That’s what I like to hear!” Black Wing took a gulp of his mead and slammed it on the table. “We move out at 2400 hours see you there.” Black Wing then proceeded towards the exit of the tent until Storm Starter stopped him.
“After a speech like that you’re leaving?”
“Oh calm yourself Storm I have to go brief the other field commanders on what’s going on, drawback for being in charge. Please make sure they don’t burn down anything.”
Author's Note
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. As most know feedback is much appreciated, I want to thank my friends for helping me proof this and I am so glad I was able to get this out before the spring semester started.
EDIT: Well finally had time to fix this chapter let me know how you guys like it.
"The greater the power, the more dangerous the abuse." -Edmund Burke
It had been almost three hours since Black Wing and his platoon left camp and sadly for him it was that time between operations where nothing happens and he was bored. Very bored. He looked out on the darkened horizon; he saw the hive in the distance. It was quite large and out in the middle of nothing but open ground, arguably a great tactical advantage if you weren’t planning on running. Black Wing then turned around and walked towards the small fire, he noticed Storm Starter and what appears to be a new recruit.
“Mind if I sit here for a spell?” Black Wing asked the two.
The new soldier then practically froze in fear in the stallion before him. Storm Starter noticed this and waved his hoof in front of the lad to get a response only none was given. Storm looked closer at the recruit and saw that he was in a frozen like state.
“Uh Commander I think you broke him.”
Black Wing looked at the poor lad and judging from the look in his eyes revealed well nothing, which means the poor lad, was stuck in thought trying think of a decision. So Black Wing did what any commander would do for his men, he slapped the recruit upside his head hard enough to knock his helmet off.
“Wait...huh…what happened?” the recruit said in a slight panicked state. He looked around him. He saw that Storm was looking down and looked as though he had zero intent on looking up. He then slowly turned towards the presence he felt next to him and his breath left his lungs as he saw the black armor; all hope left his eyes as he saw the blue flames; and nothing but fear rang to his bones small purple mist emitting from the helm. His heart practically stopped beating when Black Wing turned towards.
“So, you must be new in this little…group that I run,” Black Wing said in a deeper toned voice.
“Y-y-y-yes s-s-sir!” The recruit was shaking so much that one would think he was shaking off the blistering cold.
“Tell me, what was it like killing your first?”
“Sir?”
Black Wing leaned in closer. “You heard me! What was it like taking the life of your first kill?”
“Um uh I haven’t really…”
“Don’t tell me that you’ve never taken the life of an enemy?”
“Um no…”
“What?” Black Wing stood up, towering over the young one. “I thought when I asked for killers, I thought I would actually get some killers! Not some small weak willed greenhorn!”
The recruit was curled up. “I’m sorry sir! I was asked to join by somepony! I don’t know who! Please don’t kill me!”
Black Wing starred more intently at the greenhorn. “Alright,” Black Wing said as his demeanor shifted into a full one-eighty.
“What?” The recruit said in shock.
“Did you not hear me? I said ‘alright.’”
“B-b-but wait what?”
He turned and saw Storm Starter now, instead of remain as still as a statue, now on the ground laughing as if somepony told the joke of the century.
“Son,” Black Wing said. “That pony that asked you to join was I.”
“It’s true,” Storm interjected. “Every single pony here was hoof picked by him, usually for a predetermined role.”
“Like what kind of role?” The recruit asked.
“First things first you need to tell me your name,” Storm Starter asked as he wrapped his hoof around the recruit’s neck in a playful manner, well at least in the safest way.
“M-m-my name is Clear Shot sir.”
“Wait did you know a Dead Shot?”
“Yes sir he was my uncle. He’s the reason why I decided to accept the offer to join the Air Brigade.” Clear Shot said proudly.
“I remember him,” Black Wing said. “He was one hell of shot, I don’t think I ever saw him miss a shot.”
“Commander sir?”
“Yes Shot?”
“What exactly happened to him?”
Black Wing sat down and stared into the fire. “Las Pegasus. You see it wasn’t a part of Equestria so we could take it without provoking an all out war with the two princesses. The place was run by nothing but raiders, nopony was going to miss that place if we burnt it to the ground. Problem was though I asked Darkhorn to do recon on the area because if my flyers were going in I wanted to be sure that we weren’t going to be like fish in a barrel. She claims that everything was fine they barely had any archers and the projected casualty rate was within acceptable range. So Storm Starter, Dead Shot and I are leading the main squadron with the simple orders of taking out any defenses that would slow down the ground team, but then…”
“What happened?”
“Turns out the bitch lied to us.” Storm Starter interjected.
“What?”
“He’s right,” Black Wing said. “Darkhorn said there weren’t any archers but when we got there, there were nothing but archers. Before we knew it a quarter of my men were shot dead and we were forced to retreat only those guys had deceivingly good range and it would have been a matter of time before we were all killed, so Dead Shot stayed behind to cover us. I tried to stop him but he never was one for following orders as often as I gave them. By the time I turned around to drag his feathery ass back he was already dead, the arrows tore him apart but he made sure to take as many as he could with him.”
“Why would she betray you?”
Black Wing smirked. “Odds are because my operation against the sirens was such a success. I didn’t lose a single Pegasi that day.”
Clear Shot was confused. “Wait but if the assault on Las Pegasus yielded devastating losses how come you were at the tent celebrating the victory over Las Pegasus?”
“Well Rook the reason for that is quite the tale to tell,” Storm Starter said. “The reason why was because our Commander…”
Black Wing felt a pulse of magic. It was time. “That’s weird, we weren’t suppose to move yet if we move too soon they’ll most likely be on guard,” Black Wing thought. “Alright men let’s move you have your orders and if this goes well we’ll be back by noon and all rounds are on me!”
Black Wing turned towards Storm Starter and Clear Shot. “You two are with me. I’ll be in front, Storm will guarding the right flank of the bomb, Clear Shot you’ll be giving the left flank support, I want you to show me just how good of a shot you are.”
The two saluted. “Yes sir!”
____________________________________
Black Wing’s squadron was now less than two miles away from the hive. He looked at his right flank and saw Storm Starter keeping an eye on the hive down below, he looked further out and saw Squadron’s Delta and Foxtrot had their formations down and mixed it up by not keeping their bomb in the middle of the squadron. Black Wing looked to his left flank. He saw Clear Shot and his bow, Black Wing was worried that he may not be as good with it as Dead Shot but some things you’ll never know for sure until you try it. He saw that Clear Shot was obviously nervous and he the right to be, just because your enemy is easier to kill that doesn’t make them any less dangerous.
Black Wing banked over towards the left flank. “Private Clear Shot do you have anything on your mind?”
“N-no sir,” Clear Shot said nervously.
“You tell me one thing but your eyes tell me another. Private we are now less than a mile away from the main hive and I need you focused. So whatever is on your mind forget about it for now and we can discuss it after debrief, your no good to me dead. Alright?”
“Y-yes sir.”
Black Wing returned to his position at the front of the squadron. He saw the main front lines charge towards the wall and he saw the changeling swarm rush to intercept them it was time for the drop.
He looked down at the walls; he saw the trebuchets that they were to target. He looked harder and saw that there weren’t any defenders on the wall.
“Wait,” Black Wing said to himself. “The only reason you won’t put any defenders on the wall was…” He heard an arrow fly past him hit the barrel in the rear of the squadron. His eyes widened at the arrow, in a matter of milliseconds part of his squadron was about to be vaporized. The explosion was louder than thunder and the flames of the fire ripped through Black Wing’s men like hot steel cutting through butter. The shockwave threw everypony off their course; Black Wing knew how to maneuver out of this and recovered quickly with a few quick somersaults and he turned back and saw that half of his squadron was dead, Storm Starter, Clear Shot and a few others regrouped with him and Black Wing had no choice but to press on and help the other squadrons make a successful run. The squadrons begun their dive towards their targets and when they past the halfway point Black Wing look up and saw a changeling swarm coming out of the buildings and intercepting them.
“Bombers! Stay on target! Remnants of Alpha on me!”
Black Wing extended his spear, Clear Shot readied his arrows, and Storm Starter drew his blade. The two forces collided in the air. Black Wing’s spear pierced through three changelings, he detached his spear and let the dead insects fall all the way through the spear. “I’ll never understand why their blood is bright green, or the smell.” Black Wing saw a group of changelings charging him so he decided to let them test out the blades on the spear tip.
Clear Shot perched on a nearby roof. “Uncle, I will make you proud.” He grabbed the arrows with right wing; with his bow in his left hoof he knocked the arrow with his feathers pulled back the string with the hook on his right hoof and fired. The shot rang true through the skull of a changeling spearman.
“Oh hell yes,” Then with a focus few could match Clear shot used his wings to rapid fire his arrows dropping every changeling for every arrow he fired with a smile on his face.
After Black Wing dispatched a few more changelings he noticed one of his men was hit and was falling, it was Storm Starter. Black Wing had to think fast, save one man or risk losing the rest of Alpha. He then made his decision. He opened the blades on his spear tip and with near gale-force speed he raced towards Clear Shot’s perch, slicing through every changeling that made the mistake of being in his way. Clear Shot almost didn’t noticed Black Wing and didn’t even realize it was him until he had grabbed him and sped down to the ground to save Storm Starter. It was almost a blur but when both Storm Starter and Clear Shot came to they realized they were inside an empty changeling cave like building where they saw Black Wing watching the chaos outside.
“Ugh. What happened? Last thing I remember clearly was I was fighting a couple of bugs and then something hit me on my head and wing and then something grabbed me.” Storm Starter said still a bit groggy.
“I made a choice,” Black Wing said while keeping an eye outside. “Odds are the changelings think we’re dead and they’ll continue to harass the other squadrons while they try to destroy the catapults. So we should be able to move around undetected, let's keep it that way. Storm Starter, can you walk?”
“Heh, Commander you and I both know you’ve beaten down worse than this. So what’s the plan? The entrance to the nest chambers aren’t exactly on a map, and since the scouts were unable to find something as easy an enemy interceptors I highly doubt they know where to find an entrance.”
Clear Shot looked out and saw the city, it was quiet. He then heard small moans from what he thought was a dead changeling.
“Commander, looks like one survived. And judging from the armor he looks like he might know something.”
Black Wing walked over the injured changeling, drawing his triton spear, kicked it over on its back.
“Alright son, I’m in a bit of a rush so I’ll ask very nicely. Tell me where the entrance to the nest is and promise I won’t use this spear here to show you what you had for dinner.”
The changeling looked right at Black Wing and spat it’s blood in his face. Black Wing wiped the green ooze-like liquid off his helmet and made a sigh out of pity. Black Wing opened his spear blades stabbed the ground catching the changeling in the blades, but killing it.
“Listen have you ever seen a guillotine?”
The changeling nodded its head.
“Exactly only instead of it being some poor sods neck and painless death, yours would be at your abdomen and it will be as slow and painful as I make it. Which means that at the way this is pointed if I push down I’ll break your rib cage, cut your lungs, and me and my men will sit back and watch you as your lungs fill up with that green ooze you call blood all while you try to hold your guts in. So what say you?”
The changeling said nothing, only giving a fanged smile practically daring Black Wing to try. Bad idea.
The spear plunged slowly into its torso breaking every bone one by one. The changeling coughed up its blood onto the spear, tears of pure pain coming from its eyes. The torture felt like it went on for hours, but in reality it was only a few minutes. The spear went deeper only instead hearing the bitter music of bones breaking; the changeling felt his organs slicing open. It looked up to see the extent of the damage and his eyes widened like the rising sun as it saw that Black Wing was right, it could feel it’s lungs filling up with blood and it saw it’s entrails spilling onto the ground beside it. Death was now the only mercy it could achieve.
The changeling coughed and slowly raised and pointed its hoof towards a building further up the road, and with one last cough all life left the creature’s body.
Black Wing sighed. “Shame, I was hoping to cut him half and make him watch. Oh well now then…”
“Help! Is anypony in there?” cried a familiar voice from beyond the gate.
Black Wing signaled Storm Starter and Clear Shot to check out the building while he checked out the gate. When he arrived he saw that the gate was barred and what sounded like the front linemen trying to get in. Black Wing looked through the crack the door and saw it was Lightning Charge, he almost didn’t recognize him with the mix of green and red blood and lack of an eye.
“Solider report.” Black Wing said calmly.
“This is all that’s left of the vanguard, for some reason the main force is holding back. At this rate we’ll be wiped out! Open the gate! Please!”
“Hmm. Looks like Darkhorn and Black Hoof are sacrificing the vanguard to lure the queen into a false sense of security giving my team more of an advantage. Obviously Black Hoof’s idea.” Black Wing whispered to himself.
Black Wing looked at as much as he could and through the carnage that was transpiring outside he noticed that Scroll Keeper wasn’t there. Was he out of view?
“Sir! Do you hear me? Open this door or we will die!” Lightning Charge pleaded.
Black Wing heard a whistle from Storm Starter and Clear Shot, signaling that the entrance was not a trap.
“Before I do, what happened to the new guy? Scroll Keeper was it?”
“He’s dead. Changelings tore his entire platoon to ribbons, I don’t even know if there’s a body left,” Lighting Charge said panting.
“How long can you hold them?”
“Is this a joke? We’ll be lucky if we last more than ten minutes against them! They’re flanking us from all sides. Now open this damn door!”
“I’m sorry but last time I checked I was in charge,” Black Wing scoffed. “As punishment you are to hold this position for eleven minutes. To be honest you could cut your own throat for all I care. Now follow your orders.” Black Wing pushed the gate shut and didn’t flinch at the sounds of his men dying at the steel of the changelings.
________________________________________________________________
They proceeded down the tunnel flying down as quickly as they were able swooping around every corner that presented itself as they were descending until the approached a large room full of nothing but darkness. Black Wing stopped them and signaled them to wait for him.
“Sir you sure this is a good idea?” asked Clear Shot.
“Don’t worry kid if anypony can do this it’s him,” Storm affirmed.
Black Wing treaded carefully. He looked to his left, and then looked to his right but he looked forward and smiled.
“If you truly believe that this darkness can help you clearly have no idea who you’re dealing with! I see you right now and I must say that throne of yours looks tacky. I mean come on? A bunch of armor plates on welded to a chair? Sounds like something out a storybook.”
The room lit up revealing to be not only the main chamber linking to the nest, but also the throne room. The room looked like an empty storage room with a high ceiling probably not too far away from the surface that way the queen and the other changelings have a quick escape route. Otherwise the only noticeable markers about the room were the two rows of torches parallel with the red carpet. The queen only smirked at Black Wing’s remark.
“Oh bravo on this little plan of yours. Sacrifice your entire front line in order to keep my forces distracted thus giving your team enough time to get here under the cover of the chaos,” The queen stood up from her throne and walked down towards Black Wing in the center of the room. “Only three little ponies though? I was partially hoping for an entire platoon.”
“You and I both know that if an entire platoon was marching into this place you would have turned tail and run away with your precious eggs,” Black Wing taunted.
“Oh that’s where you’re wrong my little pony, unlike my mother I refuse to cower in the shadows fleeing at the slightest hint of danger? I will make the changeling race one to be feared!” The queen said proudly.
“Then why don’t you come over here and say it to my face?” Black Wing readied his spear and smiled as the queen’s horn light up with the light green.
“Gladly.”
The queen vanished before his eye’s instantly reappearing on his left flank bucking him with enough force to crack his crystal armor, into the wall on the other side of the room. When Black Wing got up from the impact crater, blood seeping from his right eye and mouth. He only brushed the dirt and wiped the blood off of him from the impact as if nothing serious happened. Clear Shot was shocked at the queen’s speed and was worried for Black Wing but Storm Starter put his hoof on his shoulder and just smiled telling him that it's not over.
Black Wing smirked. “Come on now I thought you were better than that! Show me the power of the changeling race!”
The queen growled and her horn lit up to its intense green and the queen fired a great beam of magical power aimed right at her target. But Black Wing didn’t move at all as the beam got closer. He smiled as the beam made contact with him. The queen was shocked from what happened next, no explosion happened instead the twisted into a spiral-like motion and dissipated into Black Wing’s hoof. He laughed as his body glowed and his wounds began to heal themselves.
“I must say queen you really are bent on making your race a force to reckon, that magical blast gave me more than enough power to heal from that little kick you gave me. Now why don’t you show me what you’re really made of!”
The queen raised her forelegs up and shattered the earth beneath her, with her magic the pieces she covered her entire exoskeleton in the rocks.
“Ask and you shall receive.”
Black Wing leapt onto the wall and launched himself forward with so much force that the wall imploded itself even more. The distance between him and the queen was already less than ten feet away from him, if he could get a few feet closer he could use his spear. The queen quickly teleported and reappeared behind Black Wing. Before he could react she grabbed his hind legs with telekinetic rocks and smashed him into the ground on her left, then she smashed him into the ground on her right, and again, and again. She levitated Black Wing in front her, blood was dripping from his mouth and nose.
“Is this really all? This is the best the great crystal army could offer to me?”
Black Wing suddenly grabbed the queen’s muzzle.
Black Wing smiled. “Oh no, I’m just getting started.”
With all of his might he slammed the changling queen to the ground, shattering the helmet portion of her rock armor. The queen quickly threw Black Wing towards the throne. She stood up and had a small moment of relief when she saw the impact, but she saw a little blue flame moving quickly through the dust to her right side of view. She levitated more rocks and began to fire them in quick succession at the blue flame quickly moving towards her. The queen was growing desperate by the second; the blue flame was dodging every shot she threw at it as if it knew where every shot was going to land. In a blink of an eye Black Wing was behind the queen. Before she could teleport away Black Wing activated the blade attachments to his spear and as if in slow motion the queen saw the blades cut through her rock armor and slice through the tendons in her hind legs.
“GYAAA!!! I’m going to bury you!!”
The queen telekinetically wrapped her aura around Black Wing’s neck and threw him into the wall a second time. Clear Shot watched with fear for his Commander, no normal pony can take this much abuse and still stand.
“Hey kid,” Storm said. “We need to get in the air in case the Commander needs our aid, and pay close attention. You’re about to see the secret to what makes our Commander so special.”
The two pegasai flew towards the ceiling far enough that they could still see the fight below them and be in relative safe distance.
The queen levitated up a boulder large enough to crush an entire squad of soldiers and threw it with all her magical might towards Black Wing. The boulder came crashing speedily towards Black Wing still hiding in the dust, but he couldn’t outmaneuver it this close. Black Wing smiled because this meant that it was time to have some real fun. The queen expected to hear the sound of the boulder crushing her enemy’s bones like sticks but instead she heard the abrupt stop of it. She turned around to see what had happened, what she saw shocked her. The boulder appeared to be stopped in mid-air and something started to lift it as if it were weightless.
RRAHHH!!!
With a loud boom the boulder broke into hundreds of pieces with the shockwaves echoing through the room causing cracks from the ceiling. From within the dust a figure with a jet black coat, glowing full green eyes emitting a purple mist, and with a fiery blue mane that could be described as a bonfire.
“Now then,” Black Wing smiled flashing his razor sharp teeth. “It’s my turn! Men! Destroy the ceiling now! I want to make this interesting!!”
“Yes sir!” Both Storm Starter and Clear Shot answered. They began digging their weapons into the cracks within the ceiling and picking the rocks from the ceiling, ranging from the size of the very boulder that the queen use to the size of a pony, apart sending them downward towards the fight.
The queen quickly teleported away from each rock that came close to her, she tried to run but with the rocks falling and the engagement with the pony, or whatever he was, still raging on she couldn’t heal herself. Black Wing saw what the queen was doing and so he flew towards the boulders pushing them down faster than the queen could react. The queen saw what he was doing and only laughed.
“You fool! I have more than enough magic to keep this up! Soon my children will come through the ceiling and slaughter you!”
“You’re right. Even with this power I can’t fight off an entire army by myself and your magic is quite persistent so my queen…” Black Wing said while onto of a boulder a few feet away from the queen. “…I’ll be relieving you of your horn now.”
With all his might Black Wing, with his trident spear ready, pushed off the boulder hard enough to break it apart speeding towards the queen and before the queen could vanish, the cold steel sliced through the hot bone so quick the queen didn’t even realize she lost her only means of offense and defense. She turned towards Black Wing in one final push to end it.
“Checkmate.”
The boulder landed on the queen crushing her body leaving only her head able to function. As Black Wing reverted back to his original form he knelt down to the defeated queen.
“Well my queen do you have any final words before I leave you here like the lowly insect that you are?”
The queen knew one way to get under his skin; with her remaining strength she spat a small bit of blood at Black Wing. Black Wing didn’t know how to process it, so he decided to voice his concerns to his men.
“Oh my gosh it’s in my mouth! Any more fluids you want to spit on me you damn…”
A stray rock landed on the queen’s head sending pieces of her grey matter and blood into Black Wing’s mouth before he could finish his sentence. Eye twitching, Black Wing’s mission was completed but for some reason he started to scream for a solid twenty seconds.
When he was finished, he heard his men landing near him while he was wiping the green goo off his face.
“So Commander can I ask something?” Clear Shot said.
“Make it quick,” Black Wing said.
“Well she’s a changeling so why didn’t she fly? This could have changed things drastically.” Clear Shot pointed out.
Black Wing looked at the pile of rubble that was the queen and then he looked back at Clear Shot.
“That’s actually a good point, maybe she’s damning her hindsight in what hole they end up in the after-life. Now you two go take the left entrance to the nest, take those torches and burn them, I want these things to a pile of ooze when we’re done.”
“What about you sir?” Storm Starter inquired.
“I’m going after the new queen, without her there’s no way the changeling race will be able to recover even if some escape. Dismissed.”
Storm Starter and Clear Shot saluted their Commander and left to burn the eggs. Black Wing headed towards the right entrance, unable to see through the dust cloud that most likely found its way in from the fighting, Black Wing struggled to finding his way though. He could see in the dark, not through dust. He was finding his way along when bumped into something large and solid. He looked at it closer and saw that while it was rectangular like, it wasn’t the wall or part of the changling hive structure since it was a bluish color. He examined closely trying to figure out what it was.
“What in the Crystal Kingdom is a TARDIS?”
Author's Note
"Unlimited power corrupts the possessor." - William Pitt
Chapter two!! Sorry it took so long, combination of both school and other projects got rid of any chance to work on it. Thank you Tarbtano for helping me proof it! Off course any feedback is most appreciated.
