It has been a year since the first strike, and the pony retaliation. It all began when the Yaks destroyed trade routes, and threatened to storm Equestria unless they got what they wanted. Twilight Sparkle, the closest thing they had to a warrior princess and arguably the best tactician in the world, didn't take to kindly to this. Same for all of the princesses, but all they did was give Twilight all the authority they could, and let her do whatever she wanted. This led to the retaliation, which Tact's team spearheaded. Now, the two races were in full out, bloody war. The suicide toll is in the hundreds by now. Foals are being butchered. Assassins are being sent everywhere, and now the changelings want to budge in. This was not the time, nor place for them to pipe up into another invasion. Tact Logistics, Jagged Dagger, Cloaked Eyes, Hacksaw, and Sharpened Blade have orders to suppress the changelings. If it means alliance, or blood, they had their orders. The train has arrived at the badlands, and it was time for them to go. Hacksaw felt it necessary to bring specialized gadgets.

"If it gets messy in there, just remember to get behind me. I have the gear." There was a general affirmative, and it was a silent trip. They arrived at the stone arch entryway into the mountain, marking the hive. Tact gave the first order before they passed through.

"Activate crystals." The crystals around their neck were to identify eachother and deactivate changeling magic, so no spells or disguises for them. They entered, instantly being spotted by all changelings within. All eyes were on them. Dead silence. They were all armed, so no one dared intercept. They uncomfortably walked through the fortress until they reached a set of stairs leading to the queen.

"What are armed ponies doing in my hive?!" Tact, being the leader, responded.

"We need help. The Yaks and ponies are going to exterminate eachother, and the Griffons and Minotaur are readying for war. Fight with us and the Griffons against the Yaks and Minotaur, and your army would be the most loved thing next to Celestia herself. It is in your best interest, as you could be immortal for a time if you take up arms along side us. You would be rescuing your food source from certain death as well. What say you."

The queen didn't take long to respond. "I say the Yaks have tried to lay siege to my hive multiple times. Give us a secure location, and we will help you."

"We already have space reserved, as well as fully charged love crystals. Take your army, in its natural form, and fly over Canterlot. A flare will come from the cleared area. We, however, have to stop by the Griffon kingdom as to plan our next assault. Would you like to be part in it?"

"We would love to."

The Griffon board room was well guarded, a guard at every corner and on either side of the door. They were armed with metal claw extensions and bladed feather tips, as well as magic wing armor. There were a few decorated soldiers around the table map. They all had the standard gold, aside from a notably large one with purple armor. Griffons shared a military color scheme with ponies, so this was the royal guard captain of the griffons. He was accompanied by a nondescript, unarmed griffon wearing only the green commander cap. She had a full, authoritative voice.

"So, do we have the changelings accompanying us on this?"

"Yes. They seem more than ready to butcher the enemy, who turns out to have been trying to destroy their hive this whole time. An ally with a reason to fight is a good ally to have."

"Agreed. So, what's the plan?"

"We feed the changelings, they commit genocide, no one dares mess with us in the future. That simple, at least for our end."

"So, we don't have to bring in any extra firepower?"

"Maybe the wonderbolts for quick extraction of any discovered changelings."

"We can take care of that. We're griffons, we carry our prey all the time. By the way, do you want any Yak?" The griffon held out what must have been a fried leg. Of course, Sharpened Blade answered before Tact had a chance.

"I do." He took the base of the leg, and bit into the top where the meat was. His eyes widened, and what may have been a smile crossed his face, which was now buried into the leg. "Can I eat the bone?"

"No. Not unless you wanna choke." came the Griffon's response.

"Back to the topic of the changeling invasion. What should we call it, instead of that mouthful it is currently?"

"Operation Insurgency. You got a better Idea?"

"Nope." No other suggestions came, so they went with that.

The operation had an unseen flaw, which was now blowing up in their face. The Yaks were prepared, and had magic anti-changeling lamps everywhere, apparently. Before anyone knew what was happening, the entire Yak army was at the border where their first invasion party was killed. Instead of a century of them, there were very many legions, and Minotaurs everywhere. It was Tact's job to make sure this didn't happen, and he failed. Now, he had to make this right.

Author's Note

Time for bloody death time.