The Queen's General

As Raam stepped outside, the initial warmth of the sun had become a grueling heat. The bright light was also hard to adjust his eyes to. Though he was supposed to be in a hurry, neither he nor his escorts did any kind of hurrying. When his eyes finally managed to adjust, he was able to take in the harsh reality of his situation.

All around him, he saw nothing but suffering. The city, which had obviously seen far grander days, had fallen into disrepair and refugees crowded the streets. Had his new Queen not told him this was the capital, he would never have guessed it himself. Many shops and homes had shattered and boarded-up windows with weeds growing through the stone bricks. The refugees had constructed flimsy wooden shacks everywhere.

As he passed by the crowds, the majority of them stared at Raam. He could see the looks of fear and confusion in the eyes of every Changeling citizen. Some of them whispered, but for the most part, there was a deafening silence. One by one, they went back to whatever they were doing. A few smaller Changelings (Raam assumed these were children) kicked a rock around, doing their best to cope with their unfortunate circumstances. Their parents looked on with slight envy, wishing they could do the same. Adult and child alike were covered in grime and scratches. Many of them appeared malnourished and weak. Some wore shredded clothing if it could even be called that.

As Raam and his escorts waded through the crowd, a filthy child ran up to Raam feet and stared up at him. An adult quickly pulled it away and gave Raam a scared look before disappearing into the crowd. He looked at his escorts. All of that black obsidian chainmail was absorbing the sunlight and overheating them. Raam remembered why he was here.

*Flashback*
After Raam had sworn his allegiance to his new queen, he and Chrysalis continued deeper into the earth with Chrysalis personal guard following them from behind while they kept their stares on Raam. The stairs at the entrance to the tunnel had given way to a more lenient grade after they had descended about twenty feet. It had also widened out to a comfortable size, tall enough for even Raam to walk at full height and wide enough for about four ponies to walk side by side. Raam had expected it to start getting dark but was surprised to find strange crystals giving off a soft green glow that were embedded in the walls at regular interval. To Raam, it didn't matter as he could see in the dark.

A few minutes later, the cave narrowed down to a single entrance that seemed to open up again afterwards. There were two changelings standing in front of the entrance. Raam could see they wore different clothes than the ones that were following them.

They were still in a tunnel about as large as the one they were in previously, but Raam could see what appeared to be a larger chamber up ahead. The chamber was very large. In the center of the chamber was a very large pillar of the same glowing crystal she had seen throughout the rest of the hive. It was the primary source of illumination for the entire cavern. Raam noticed there was a small portion of the crystal pillar about a third of the way down the bottom that was unlit, and wondered what purpose that could serve.

The cavern itself was shaped like a quarter-sphere. The far wall of the cavern was mostly flat and was filled with numerous hexagonal chambers like some kind of giant honeycomb. Most of them were partially covered in some sort of semi-transparent green substance, with only a small, changeling hole providing entry. Raam surmised that these must be what passed for rooms for some of the changelings that lived here. The rest of the cavern curved away from that wall with various tunnels leading off to who knew where.

Speaking of changelings, there must have been at least a hundred of them walking or flittering about the main chamber when they entered. And they had all stopped what they were doing and were now staring right at Raam who didn't pay them any mind.

There was a pair of changeling guards standing outside the door. They opened the doors to let the group through.
Raam stared at chamber they had entered. There was a path going down the center, with rows of large columns of the glowing crystal going up to the ceiling on either side. Stretching between the crystal columns like spider webs was more of that same green material the door had been made of, but shaped into images and patterns. Much like the door, the green substance carried some of the light from the crystals columns, creating a rather spectacular overall effect. At the end of the path, the ground rose up slightly and there was a magnificent throne. The throne was giving off a green light, but it looked like it was made of more of that green substance.

Chrysalis walked forward while her guard began to take up positions around the throne room while Raam stood and stared at Chrysalis as she sat down on her throne.

"Now on to business," Chrysalis spoke while Raam stood there in silence. "As I said before, my nation is at war with the Equestrians."

Raam didn't speak as he stared at his queen. Chrysalis stared at Raam as he remained silent though she did find it refreshing. "The Equestrian army is marching towards my army I have positioned a hundred miles from here. I want you to go there and take command to drive them back. If they take that post then they will have a clear way to here."

The whole time Raam was quiet as she spoke. "I will have a few of my subjects escort you to the front. I want you there as soon as possible. Leave my presence.”

Two of the guards stepped forward until they stood behind Raam who stared at the Chrysalis who raised an eyebrow at him. Raam finally opened his mouth and spoke. "Enemy will be slaughtered." With that said he turned and followed the two guards.

Chrysalis stared at Raam contemplating what he said. He seemed confident, but.....also blood thirsty. looking out of the corner of her eye she saw her guards thinking the same thing.

*Flashback ends*
Raam was cut from his thought as one of the guards spoke. "We are a mile away." Raam didn't speak as he simply followed them causing the escorts to frown.

"Not much of a talker are you?" The other changeling spoke.

"No need to talk." Raam hissed out.

The escorts sighed before one of them remembered something. "The queen wanted us to give this to you."

Raam glanced at them only to see one of them holding out his knife. Raam took it from the escort and stared at his most trusted ally. He smiled in his mind at how many humans and lambent alike fell to this blade. Raam quickly equipped it back on, behind him at his hip.

"We're here." Raam glanced up to see....a poor excuse of an outpost. The walls seemed like they were falling apart. The group walked inside.

All around Raam, soldiers were bustling about, carrying equipment and marching in odd, loose formations while officers barked orders. He couldn't help but notice the officers didn't seem to know what they were doing and shouted orders without much confidence. Raam couldn't help but growl at the incompetence. The group began moving towards a large, dark blue tent in the center of the camp. Short wooden watchtowers dotted the perimeter of the outpost and Raam could see Changelings in them looking through telescopes on tripods. Scouts? It would make sense. He directed his attention to the environment itself. The ground in the outpost seemed muddy with a few patches of dying grass here and there. But beyond the outpost, he could see a vast, open plain glistening with dew.

Turning his eye to the sky, Raam saw it was becoming cloudy. It was already quite humid and didn’t seem like it could get much wetter. Finally, the group entered the main tent. The interior was lit with lanterns that appeared to contain yellow crystal shards. Along the edges of the tent were desks covered in paperwork. Changelings wearing light brown vests made of cloth were shuffling through the papers and passing them around the room as they chattered. Near the back of the tent, a tall, young Changeling sat behind what appeared to be a desk made of bricks. As Raam's group approached him, he looked up and took a good long stare at Raam.

"You must be Raam." It wasn't a question but a statement.

"Commander?" Was all Raam said

The Changeling nodded, stood and looked Raam up and down, trying to understand what was in front of him before answering.
“Though I am skeptical…it is not my place to question Our Queen. I am essentially out of options at this point, anyway. We failed our invasion because of our lack of organization, and now I fear we will all be slain for that same reason. The previous commanding officer was killed in action. He had far more experience than I do. This is just…too much. But I have been told that you yourself are…or were…a general for your homeland?”

Raam growled as he could literally smell and hear fear in his voice, but he nodded his head.

"Well, what is your advice.....General?"

"We shall take our leave." One of the escorts spoke as they both exited the tent leaving only Raam and the commander.

Raam walked up toward the desk and glanced down. Maps and reports were strewn about. He picked up a few of the papers to see how things were being run. It angered him how poorly this military was being “organized.” The troop formations were in preposterous shapes, and it was obvious the commander didn't know the definition of anything in war tactics. Raam growled at the incompetence of this changeling. If all commanders were like this then no wonder they were losing.

"Sir?" His answer was Raam to grab his throat and lift him in the air with one hand while squeezing his throat cutting off the commander air supply. Raam walked outside the tent with the commander in his hand who was struggling and kicking at Raam who didn't even seem affected by it. The changeling stopped and stared with wide eyes as they were watching their new General choke their commander before lifting him up and throwing him into a wall where he slammed into headfirst causing a loud thud sound as his head connected then fell to the ground knocked out. The changelings glanced at their knocked out commander who had his head busted open as his blood began to pour out turning the ground where his head lay in green blood. Raam scoffed at the weakness. He didn't even use half his strength.

Raam turned his attention to the changelings who were staring at him with a mix of fear and awe. "Gather officers to the tent." Raam hissed out snapping them out of their stares as they quickly ran through the outpost to gather all the officers. Raam walked back to the tent and stood by it as he waited not even glancing back at the commander who was picked up by two medics and carried off.

As Raam waited he glanced out to the plains thinking. He could tell the plains were muddy making the ground wet and would slow down armored fighters and with it supposedly about to rain would make their march even slower. Raam glanced up to see two changeling scouts looking out towards where the enemy was said to be coming from. Raam walked over to stairs that led up to them and began to step up them where he reached the two. His boots made a thud sound causing the two to look behind them only to freeze as they stared up at Raam who looked down at them.

Raam showed his hand confusing them before they realized what he wanted and gave him the telescope. Raam stared at this device before lifting it up to his eye and glanced towards the enemy. What he saw made him almost smile. Almost. The ponies so sure of their victory camped close enough letting Raam able to see their numbers and even the one who was leading this army. A thing had a muzzle of what appeared to be a horse. The strange color of its skin was gray letting Raam realize it was fur. On top of his head were two pointy ears. The pony wore what appeared to be really bright silver armor with a strange symbol on its chest plate. Raam realized this was the commander.

Raam handed the telescope back to the two scouts who watched Raam walk down the stairs. Raam thought about the plan he was going to commence. First. He has know out how good the changelings eyesight was in the dark. Then, his plan that would lead to victory. Afterall, Cut off the head of the Snake and the body dies though this time......he will make sure the head is completely cut off!

Walking back Raam thought of those tunnels the changelings made. If they could do that in a small amount of time then they could perhaps use this skill in their favor. As he walked back he glanced out of his eye to see a changeling sharpening a spear. Raam didn't really pay much attention to him as he walked past and into the tent where three changelings stood including the commander who now had bandages wrapped around his head. He flinched as Raam walked up to the table to look down at the map that was spread out across it.

"Whats the plan General?"

Raam stared at the map then finally glanced up or, in this case, down as he stared at them unnerving them with his cold eyes. "Dig hole here." Raam pointed at the map at a spot that the ponies would have to enter through in order to attack the changelings.

"General, what will a hole do here in this case?"

Raam looked at the commander who spoke only for him to step back not wanting to be thrown into a wall again. "Force the ponies to march into it. Mud will slow them down. We wait at top and attack as they try to march forward up it. Put stakes at the top as well."

The three changelings shared a glance still not having faith this plan will work. While Raam growled at them then pointed at what appeared to be black paint. "Have five hundred paint themselves black and to hide on this ridge." Raam pointed on the map where there was a hill that looked down at the location of where the hole was to be dug.

"You will split the main force in half! We won't be able to gurk!" He was cut off as Raam grabbed him by his throat and raised him off the ground. The others backed away while Raam brought his face closer to his.

"Obey." Was all Raam said as he dropped the changeling who took in large gulps of air. The changelings stared at Raam before they saluted and ran off to give out the orders while Raam glanced up at the clouds and knew it would rain. That would give them an extra advantage as it would make the ground even softer while also preventing the pegasus from flying. One of the changelings explained to him was one of three types of ponies.

Raam then slowly turned his head towards where the enemy would be coming from. He knew this commander of this army wouldn't bother with strategy. If the changelings had indeed lost battle after battle then they would be overconfident. That will lead them to their slaughter. Raam wasn't only going to win this battle oh no. He was going to completely annihilate them. No survivors.

It was a few hours later when it began to rain with it bouncing off Raam who didn't seem to be bothered by it. Raam watched from the outpost as changelings were digging the hole like he instructed while one of the commanders stood next to him painted in black. Raam could see the changelings that were painted had began to fly to the top of the hill like he instructed though the paint helped kept their wings from getting wet while also making them blend into the dark. "Hole deep enough. Rest." Raam instructed to one changeling saluted and flew over to the ones who dug the hole and planted the spikes.

"General!" Raam glanced over to see a changeling scout who flew over to him. "The equestrian army is on the march!"

Raam was silent then finally spoke. "Battle formations!" He turned towards the commander. "Attack when I give the signal." He nodded his head toward Raam then began to fly up to the hill where five hundred changelings remained hidden. Raam turned towards where the enemy would be coming from as changelings began to get into formation beside. As they waited for the enemy to come the rain had began to come down even harder. Lighting had even begun to flash across the sky lighting the area up for a few second before it sank back into darkness again.

Lightning struck again in the distance and Raam watched as thousands of ponies emerged from the haze to the north. The ponies carried their own two-handed weapons, but to the rear were unicorns with no weapons at all. Pegasi made up the rear lines. Raam had been told of the varieties of ponies. He knew the pegasi would be useless; their wings would be too soaking wet from the rain to fly.

The lightning struck again, and all at once, the Equestrian troops charged. Raam saw in the distance the pony commander who was wielding a two handed sword pointed it at the changelings. Just like Raam thought, the ponies overconfident in their victories simply began to charge forward. Raam couldn't help but think this was pathetic. The ponies ran into the hole that was dug allowing the changelings to look down at them while the ponies struggled to move through the mud. Some of them were tripping in the mud.

The changeling lowered their spears as the enemy closed in on them. The spears struck stabbing through ponies causing the dead to fall back into the ground where hey slid down into the hole knocking those alive down. The ponies pushed forward even though they were just rushing to get cut down. The unicorns began firing their spells at the changelings. Raam had constructed a wood like barricade covered in mud to block the spells that would be fired at them. They worked though a few of the spells made it through as it slammed into a few changelings killing some or wounding others. Raam saw out of the corner of his a changeling holding his face screaming in agony as his face was slowly being melted off from the heat.

Raam watched as the battle continued with the ponies slowly pushing forward since the hole that was dug had begun to fill with their dead comrades allowing them to step on the bodies. Raam pulled his knife and slashed one pony head off before turning and thrust his knife through one's chest while raising his left foot and kicked one back into the hole. Raam glanced over to see five ponies rushing at him. As they thrust their weapons Raam lifted the dead pony allowing his comrades weapons to pierce his dead body. Raam then pulled his knife out and threw the body with all his strength knocking sending the ponies flying back landing on the ground just in time as they were stabbed by spears.

Raam glanced over to the ponies and saw they were completely focused on the front and were no longer paying attention to their rear. Raam nodded to one changeling who raised a horn and blow into it sending out a loud horn sound. The changelings that were hiding on the hill flew into the air then quickly slammed into the enemy rear causing confusion. The ponies didn't know whether to fight in the front or the rear. Raam waved his hand forward causing all the changelings to charge forward where they crashed into the enemy rank. Raam didn't care about any of this, though. His eyes were set on the commander who had joined the battle and was cutting through the changelings.

Raam saw many ponies rush towards him. Raam simply thrust his knife through the first then raised his hand to grab one throat while also kicking one in the chest sending him flying where he landed on the ground. Raam pulled his knife out and snapped the one in his other hand neck. Raam walked forward. The pony on the ground tried to get back up, only for Raam to slam his boot on his face completely squashing it and sending blood everywhere with brain matter stuck to his boot. Raam walked forward while the commander swung his sword cutting three changelings in half then spun and thrust his sword through one chest.

Raam approached him from behind with his boots making a thud sound with every step. The pony commander hearing him spun to stare at him with a confused expression before he quickly regained his composure and swung his sword while Raam raised his left hand catching it by the blade part. The commander began to push with all his might. Raam having enough yanked the sword away from him then quickly raised a foot and kicked him sending him flying where he layed on the ground. Raam walked forward while also tossing the sword away. Raam took three steps then reached down and grabbed the commander by the throat and raised him up where his feet dangled. Raam stared at this pony then simply raised his knife and swung it where it sliced through the commander neck like butter, separating his head from his body.

Raam stared at the body as it spasmed and squirted out blood. Raam simply turned towards the battlefield as he began to walk forward with the head clutched in his hand.

The battle was over. The ground was littered with the corpses of the dead of both sides though mostly ponies. Raam stood off to the side holding the pony commander head like a trophy. The commander approached him covered in blood. "General, congrats on your victory. The ponies will surely not attack again."

Raam didn't speak allowing the commander to speak up again. "We have also captured a hundred prisoners."

Raam turned to the commander with narrowed eyes. "Show me."

The commander simply nodded his head as he lead Raam to the center of the battlefield. There in the middle surrounded by changelings were ponies who were on their knees with their hands tied. Raam walked in front of them with his boot making a thud sound with every step he took as he studied the ponies. "What are you orders next General?"

Raam stopped and stared at one pony when he was asked that question. Raam stared at the pony then pulled his knife out and sliced the pony neck open causing him to fall to the ground as he slowly choked on his blood and was trying to breathe. Every pony and changeling were shocked at what just happened. "MAUDERER!"One of the ponies shouted.

The changeling commander shook his head as he snapped out of it. "General are you mad!?"

Raam simply wiped his knife off then glanced ast the other prisoners. "No survivors." He hissed out as he turned and began to walk off.

"General I beg you to..." The commander stopped as Raam turned and face him.

"No survivors." Raam hissed out louder.

The commander was silent then turned to one of the changelings and nodded his head. The changelings began to pull out their swords while the ponies begged for mercy only for them to meet steel as they were killed one by one. The changelings were unsure of this monstrous act. Raam simply watched this with satisfaction as he held the dead commander head. There will no mercy to the queen's enemies. Raam will crush them all into dust whether it be female, male, or child. All will die by his hand!