ACT 7: Chapter 2 - The First Battle

The Battlefield of Hollow Shade

The once-quiet village of Hollow Shade had become a war zone.

Changelings swarmed the streets, their buzzing wings filling the air.

Buildings were coated in changeling resin, trapping innocent ponies inside.

And at the center of it all—

Queen Chrysalis.

She stood atop the village’s ruined clock tower, her smirk cold and confident.

She looked down at Steel, Twilight, and their allies, her green eyes gleaming.

“Well, ‘Guardian,’” she taunted. “Let’s see what you can do.”

She raised a hoof—

And her changeling army attacked.

Steel Enters the Fight

Steel moved first.

His massive frame surged forward, crashing through the front lines of changelings like an unstoppable force.

Each punch sent dozens flying.

Each step shook the ground.

The changelings swarmed him, trying to pin him down—

But Steel simply tore through them like a storm.

Rainbow Dash shot through the air, taking out changelings alongside him.

Applejack bucked a drone so hard, it flew through a house.

Twilight blasted the sky with waves of magic, holding off attackers from above.

But Chrysalis…

She simply watched.

And smirked.

The Trap is Set

As the battle raged on, Steel noticed something.

The changelings weren’t fighting to win.

They were stalling.

Distracting.

Steel turned sharply.

“… This is a diversion.”

Chrysalis laughed.

“Oh, you’re quick.”

She spread her wings, rising into the air.

“But you’re too late.”

Steel’s golden eyes flashed.

“… Where are they?”

Chrysalis grinned wickedly.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?”

And then—

A massive pillar of green fire erupted from the Everfree Forest.

Twilight gasped. “That’s—!”

Steel didn’t hesitate.

He turned and ran.

Straight toward the flames.

Straight toward Chrysalis’ true plan.

To Be Continued…