The Queen's General

There was loud yawn which ended only for the sound of lips smacking together. This yawn came from a guard who stood in the middle of the city known as Baltimare. The city was awfully quiet, but then again the city had been evacuated by order of the Princesses who lost contact with the army that was sent to finish the changelings off. To make matters worse, the outpost had also been lost. Scouts were sent out to find something and report back.....none had returned. Fearing for her subject the princesses ordered the city to be evacuated. Though there were two hundred citizens still here that refused to leave or abandon their homes. After that was done, the princesses ordered five thousand of their forces to guards the city. To be completely sure if it's defense the Princesses had sent one of their best generals known as general Tullius to guard the city.

"This is boring." The guard who yawned commented then let out another long yawn while the guard next to him glared at him.

"How about you actually pay attention and stop whining?"

The pony who yawned opened his mouth and whined. "But it's so boring!"

The other guard gritted his teeth. "We have to remain vigilant. the changelings could attack any day."

The other guard scoffed. "I doubt it. We have most of our elite guard here, plus the fact general Tullius is here." The guard spoke while glancing at a column of guards marching by with a leader at the front of the formation. The difference though was their armor was more gold like while still having the same type of armor.

The two rendered salutes as the column passed by and dropped their salutes once they passed. "So yeah, I'm not worried. Then there's General Tullius who's specialty is defense."

"Defense?"

The guard stared at his battle buddy. "You don't know." he was answered by the other pony shaking his head. "The general led a defense of an outpost that had only five hundred guards against two thousand griffons at hale pass."

"He won that?"

"Sure did! Now we have him and elite guards here, so I am one hundred percent sure this city is well defended."

The guards had indeed begun to relax more and more so sure of their defenses. They had indeed built a well-fortified position. the walls were covered in ice which Tullius ordered to be done with magic to ensure the enemy wouldn't be able to climb using ladders unless they wanted to slip and fall. To also ensure they wouldn't have an easy time using ladders, spikes were stabbed into the ground by the wall that would impale anyone trying to get through or would cause them to move slower just to get to the wall. At the top of the walls were openings for archers to shoot through while it would also protect them from enemy projectiles and would allow them to shoot down any changeling that dared to try to fly over the wall.

The city was now a well-fortified fortress that wouldn't be taken easily by an assault and with minimum casualties. What also helped the ponies was the fact all the cities ground was tough which would make it impossible for the changelings to dig through it. unfortunately for them, there was a tunnel being dug. Not by changelings but by their new war beasts.

Raam watched beside his new companion while petting it as changelings mounted armor on their new war beasts. Raam discovered that the scorpions didn't armor on their body as their exoskeleton was harder than even steel. Raam discovered their weakness though when he tamed his own war beast. He saw how the area around its mouth was softer than the rest of its body, so he ordered for armor to be placed around that area to protect it like how the corpsers had their faces protected.

Glancing towards the other war beast which he began to call Jägers. He had their bodies coated in armor to protect them. While they were going to be used as mounts, the things only let certain changelings near them. Just like the bloodmounts from the hive. It seemed these Jägers bonded with only certain changelings. That one changeling will never walk again.....considering he had both his legs ripped off. It was a shame not all Jägers wanted to be ridden, but they would still make hunters.

Now for the small things. Raam glanced around the tunnel seeing it crawling with them. It was quite interesting that these things listened to no one, but yet Raam had been able to command them with his telepathic link like his kryll. The things reminded him so much of the kryll that he named them that.

Raam watched as the scorpions dug way much faster and through the thicker ground that the changelings wouldn't haven't been able to dig through. He, however, knew that victory wouldn't simply come from busting through the ground. Yes, it would give the element of surprise but they would still have casualties. Raam wanted to win this battle while also showing off the hordes strength. What better way is there besides massacring the elite guards and from what he heard one of Equestria top generals with minimal casualties. Raam honestly couldn't wait to sink his knife through the general gut.

"General." Raam glanced over to his right side and saw a changeling standing in a salute position then dropped his salute. "Our forces are almost in place. They will be ready at dawn."

Perfect. Raam had no idea how these creatures would stand against the sunlight. When he had busted through the ground it was night time. If the dawn bothers them, it will give Raam a good idea that these creatures can't stand against the full rays of the sun. Raam raised his hand and patted his war beast. Raam glanced up towards the ceiling where the city was located. Once the plan was achieved then they will attack. The question now was the queen in her position like Raam had planned.

Chrysalis stood in front of five thousand changelings, all who wore their armor as they stood behind their queen. Chrysalis stared towards the direction of the city that they were going to attack....no destroy. Chrysalis couldn't stop the smile that slowly spread across her face. They were going to kill three birds with just one stone. The city would be reduced to rubble. The elite guard slaughtered by the changeling which no doubt will put a large dent into the princesses guard. The biggest thing, however, would be the death of one of their finest generals.

Chrysalis had to admit, that she had respect for the old general....a little respect. She heard of his accomplishments and his loyalty to the ponies. Sad how things had to end like this.

"My queen." Chrysalis glanced down at the changeling who addressed her as he was bowing down.

"Is the General in position?"

"Yes, my queen."

Chrysalis nodded her head in satisfaction. She stared at the city seen in the distance. Even from five miles away it looked beautiful. Not for long. Chrysalis turned toward her army raising her sword then began to speak. "The ponies have indeed entrenched themselves deep in defenses."

She stared at her changelings who simply stood there listening to her speech. "They have trapped themselves! Their General so sure of his defenses will have his head separated from his body! All of Equestria will know the strength of the horde!"

She watched as her changelings began to bang their sword against their armor causing the sound of metal to ring throughout the land. Others banged their weapons against other weapons or some just bang against their shields with their weapons.

Chrysalis spoke out once more her voice carrying throughout the land. "Their precious city....will be their tomb!" Chrysalis raised her sword and turned to face towards the city while walking forward with her changelings soon following up behind her. Chrysalis yelled once more. "TO WAR!"

(Watch at 1:08)
[youtube=https://youtu.be/WFE6E9qAtuw?t=1m8s]

As they marched forward, there was nothing but the sound of metal as the horde marched forward towards the city. Chrysalis looked up just in time to see a Pegasus flew towards the city. Just like Raam had planned as she remembered his words. "Let the ponies know you coming. Leave scouts alive....just one."

"Almost time for the plan to come into fruition General."

They weren't only attacking Baltimare. Raam had sent two thousand changelings to attack Appleloosa at night with the same strategy. Today, the ponies two cities will fall.

Tullius sighed as he stared at a map that lay out across the table in the middle of the tent that he decided to turn into his headquarters. Standing practically everywhere were the elite guards that stood at attention to every possible entrance into the tent in case there was an assassination attempt on the General. 'Even having ones outside as well.' Tullius thought with a scoff.

General Tullius was an earth pony who appeared to be forty years old. His fur complete white, with his mane being gray signifying his old age. He wore armor that was styled after the royal guard armor. The difference, however, was the color. The whole armor color was bronze, gold, and crimson and emblazoned across the chest is the Equestrian flag.

The General was studying the map to see where the enemy would most likely attack. He honestly doubted they would attack though it never hurts to be prepared. The question now is what would they do? He scanned the map with narrowed eyes taking in every detail he saw. the only way he saw was that all they could do was a frontal assault. He knew there was something else though. The changelings don't just go from being beaten back to their home only to turn around and drive them back. The only conclusion he could come up with was a full out assault then when everyone was exhausted, she would bring fresh troops.

"GENERAL!" A voice yelled out causing Tullius to glance towards the owner of the voice, only to see a young guard run into the tent. The Guard saluted once he stood in front of the general. "At ease."

"General. The changelings have been sighted! They are marching here for an attack."

Tullius thought over what he just heard. 'So Queen Chrysalis, you have begun your attack.' Tullius thought, but he still had a feeling that this battle was lost, but he quickly pushed the feeling aside as he glanced to the guard.

"Get all the towns ponies to safety, then have all guards prepared for battle."

The young guard saluted then rushed out the tent to spread word to all guards. While he was doing that, Tullius turned towards his guards and motioned for them to follow him. The guard formed a circle around the General while he just rolled his eyes. It seems ever since he became a General, that everypony forgot he knew how to fight. He could hang with any young guard for crying out loud! The General with his guard moved through the city towards the gate. Along the way, he could see guards helping the towns ponies while others rushed towards the wall.

Behind the wall were catapults that the General instructed to have put there. Tullius knew they could come in handy with destroying towers, ladders and groups of soldiers. A very useful tool though it could also be a handful Tullius noted when he saw a group of guards loading one with difficulty. Tullius began to step up the stairs that led to the top of the tower. Looking above he saw the wall lined with guards who had bows while others were unicorns who no doubt were going to use their magic.

Looking at the changeling horde, Tullius had to admit their size was bigger than what they thought, but still not enough to take this city. Tullius was by no means cocky or arrogant, but he knew that the queen must have something planned. 'Speaking of.' Tullius thought as he saw the changeling queen in armor standing in front of her army as they stood a hundred yards away.

"General! It's the queen!" One guard shouted causing others to murmur.

'You think?' Tullius thought sarcastically.

"We should attack General! We can end this war in one strike!"

Tullius ignored them as he kept his gaze on the queen as she simply stared at the fort. He could see among their ranks were ladders and that was it. 'No catapults or siege rams. Either they don't know how to make them or they are planning something else entirely like I thought.'

Chrysalis stared at the great city that lay before her. It was indeed great as they say it was. she also saw that it was well fortified with pikes at the bottom of the wall to slow down invading warriors from having an easy time reaching the wall to set up siege ladders. Studying the wall she saw guards all standing there. In the middle of it was the great General Tullius she had heard so much about. From a distance, she didn't think he was anything special. One changeling walked up to her waiting her orders. "Waiting your command your majesty."

Chrysalis slowly raised her right hand until it was pointed up towards the sky. It seemed like an eternity she held it there while her changelings simply stood there waiting. She then finally dropped it causing the changelings to all rush towards the city with their weapons held at the ready.

Tullius watched as this horde approached the walls. Glancing behind himself Tullius shouted out an order. "Fire catapults!" He then turned back towards the oncoming horde. The guards pulled the strings causing the a loud stretch sound as boulders were hurled over the wall towards the changeling army. He watched as the boulders slammed into the changeling army killing five or sometimes even ten. The smart ones spread out so the boulders simply landed in between them.

Once they were in range, the guards pulled their drawstrings on their bows back as they notched their arrows. Tullius waited for a few minuted then shouted his order for all the guards to hear. "Fire!" The guards released their drawstrings causing the arrows to release and soar through the air where they slammed into changelings killing a few of them while some arrows slammed into their non-fatal organs while others used their shields to block it.

The changelings reached the wall even as arrows were slamming into them and catapults. The magic guard gathered fire into their hands then began to toss them down into the changeling horde. The changelings began to return their own fire with arrows and magic. The changelings were able to hit a few of their targets but were missing more than they were hitting. The guards had no trouble finding their marks on the changeling who stood out in the open.

Tullius glanced everywhere across the wall as the battle raged on. He already saw ladders being set up but were easily knocked down or destroyed. He then finally glanced over towards the Queen who stood across the battlefield on a hill with two guards at her side. "Your move majesty." Tullius spoke not mockingly but not with respect either but with just a neutral tone in his voice.

Chrysalis stared at across the battlefield watching her army being cut down. The two guards at her side were beginning to worry. "Why won't the General attack already!? We are getting cut down!"

Chrysalis didn't speak as she silently agreed with him. 'General, if you don't make your move now then we will all be slaughtered.' Chrysalis thought in her mind.

Raam stood in the tunnels listening to the sound of battle above as it shook the entire cavern with every boulder slamming into the ground. The changelings were staring at the General with unease as he simply stood there with his arms crossed over his chest and his eyes closed. "General we need to make our move now!"

Raam remained with arms closed and eyes shut causing a few of the changelings to growl. "While we hid down here, our brethren are being slaughtered! I refuse to just stand still and do nothing!"

The changeling growled and began to move only to stop as he felt a blade touching his throat. Glancing over he saw two changelings glaring at him with cold eyes. "You will do no such thing without the General orders!"

The changeling was silent as he stared at these two. "Besides...I think it is time now right General?"

All the changelings glanced over towards Raam who eyes remained closed but immediately snapped open. He reached behind his back and slowly drew his knife and held it in his right hand. Raam glanced at all the changelings and uttered a few words. "Move into the city. Kill all in your path." With those words, Raam gave the order causing the scorpions to slam into the ceiling where they breached through the ground where sunlight had begun to shine through. "SLAUGHTER!"

Tullius watched the battle progressing and still no move had been made. 'What is taking her? She is willing to allow many of her soldiers to die?' Tullius thought in anger at how easily she could discard life.

"General! The battle is going well!" One of the guards spoke, but Tullius ignored him as he stared at the changelings. "Sir?"

Tullius opened his mouth only to close it as he felt the whole ground began to shake and tremble. "Earthquake!" One of the guards shouted while Tullius had his eyes narrowed in thought.

'There is no way this is a coincidence.' Tullius thought as he turned towards the city to see the ground collapsing to show three giant holes in the ground causing his eyes to widen.

'They couldn't have!' Tullius thought in alarm as he stared the holes.

His fear was proven true as he saw a few guards walk towards the hole. He then heard a loud voice speak out from within the hole. "SLAUGHTER!"

"GET AWAY FROM THERE!" Tullius shouted at the guards but was too late as changeling began pulling out of the ground riding and with some type of creature. Tullius watched in horror as the thing began to tear the guards to pieces while they let out blood-curdling screams of agony and he watched in numbness as blood began spraying into the air while body parts were being tossed around and munched on.

Tullius watched as the city began to be swarmed. "Guards to the rear!" The royal guard began to charge back into the city but were getting cut down causing the defense of the wall to slowly be overrun as changelings began to swarm it. Tullius glanced all around to see guards being cut down while the unlucky ones were being eaten alive. Tullius rushed towards the battle with his sword drawn.

He ducked under one changeling spear and thrust his sword through its face then pulled his blade out and spun slashing one of the things necks off. He turned only to stop as he saw a giant scorpion grabbed a royal guard with its pinchers. One pincher grabbed his leg and the other his shoulder. the guard began to scream in agony as the scorpion pulled more and more until it tore the unfortunate guard in half spraying blood everywhere. Tullius could see the guard spine through all the blood sticking out.

The scorpion turned its attention to Tullius as it tossed the two pieces aside. Tullius readied himself as the thing thrust its stinger causing Tullius to side step it and climb on its back. Not giving it a chance Tullius drew his blade back and thrust down cutting into its face. The scorpion twitched for a moment then simply fell over dead.

Tullius glanced around to see the city falling. "General!" Glancing over to his side he saw three Pegasus guards. "The city is lost!" Tullius glanced around only to stop as he saw what was leading the changeling horde. A large bipedal stepped through a hole holding nothing but a dagger. The thing turned its attention towards him. The two stared at one another with narrowed eyes. He watched as it began to walk towards him.

Two of the guards saw Raam walking towards them and rushed towards him. "Get the General out of here!"

Tullius opened his mouth to protest only to be cut off as he was literally dragged into the air. "Put me down! That's an order!"

Tullius looked down just in time to the thing stab through one guard and broke the other neck while still staring at him. Tullius had his eyes locked with him the entire time until he was out of sight.

Raam watched the general escape causing him to growl. "Well done General," Chrysalis spoke out as she walked up next to him. "The city is ours!"

Raam heard the sound of the dying, but that didn't matter to him. "Sir! A group of ponies are hold up in a building."

Raam growled and followed the changeling while also smashing a wounded guard face in with his boot spraying blood everywhere. Chrysalis had also followed the General. The two moved through the city that was littered with dead guards. He watched as the war beats even began to feast on the dead. Arriving, Raam saw it was an old looking building. Staring he could see it was barricaded. Raam scoffed as he walked forward. Once he reached the door he raised a fist and slammed it into the door causing it to break causing ponies to scream in fright. Walking in he saw old ponies with mares and children. There was also a few stallions. "Please don't kill us!" One mare shouted as Raam stared at them.

"I won't if you give me what I want." Raam spoke causing every changeling to glance at him in shock. "Where is the General heading?"

"Tullius? We don't know. Probably back to Canterlot. That's all we know!" Raam narrowed his eyes at them searching for any lies but didn't find any and nodded his head in satisfaction.

"As promised, I won't kill you." Raam turned and walked out of the building ignoring the ponies thanking him repeatedly for his kindness.

"You actually agreed to let them live?"

Raam didn't speak but raised a hand causing a hundred Jägers to rush into the build and soon there was the sound of screaming in pain and flesh being torn apart. Glancing at the door they could see blood flying everywhere. They watched as a young colt tried to run out of the door covered in blood and tripped by the door. He was immediately dragged back in but grabbed the door frame screaming as he was being dragged back in. The colt tried to hang on but eventually his strength failed and he was dragged in the building and then blood began spraying everywhere.

Raam stared off in the distance at Canterlot as he spoke. "I didn't kill them."

Chrysalis walked towards him and stood next to him as she stared up at him. Raam feeling someone looking at him glanced down at her. The two stared at one and other even with the sound of the dying and the fire burning the city. It seemed almost.......romantic in a sick way.