The group of young huntsmen fought with bravery and ferocity, but despite their best efforts the Grimm was starting to take bites off of their Aura, the fact that they were fighting in a subterranean chamber forced them to fight without bullets and in the case of Nora Valkyrie, grenades.

" This is crazy! I can't even see the end to them! ". Screamed the blonde brawler to the rest.

" Keep your eyes on the fight Yang! ". Yelled her partner, Blake Belladonna.

A beowolf managed to sneak pass the barrier of bodies and recognizing the smallest target it dashed to the girl in white to nag at her exposed pale neck. " Weiss! Watch out! ". Ruby Rose warned too late.

The black monster only did it half way when a steel barrier blocked its path. The beowolf fell to the rough floor after it's momentum was absorbed completely by the white shield, the blonde holding the shield then impaled the downed beast finishing it off.

" Weiss! You ok? ". Asked the boy.

" I-yes! You got just in time, thanks ". After thanking her savior , Weiss took her position again and was flanked by the newly arrived.

" Don't mentioned, But what are you guys doing here? ". Asked the knight as he took on another beowolf, he simply repeated the sequence from before obtaining the same result.

" Fighting this things, duh! ". Answered Yang while punching an Ursa in the nose making it retreat.

" Not that, what I mean is why are you fighting them in an open chamber when their number are superior? We have to drag them to the corridors where they can't outflank us and we can face them a few at a time ". His explanation made everyone in the group stop for only a second to mentally kick themselves in the rear for not thinking about it before.

" It was Ruby's idea! " Yelled Nora.

" Traitor! ". Yelled the youngest of the group while backing to the nearest tunnel to emulate their new battle strategy.

" Glad to have you back ". Said Ren Lien in one of those rare occasions where he spoke first.

" Glad to be...? " From the back of the mass of Grimm, the knight noticed a humanoid shape coming at them at full speed, it travelled in the back of the monsters with imposing reflex that could only be obtained by countless battles, as it got closer, the second leader of the group saw golden eyes shine through the darkness, finally giving away the identity of the upcoming threat.

" Everyone! Back to the tunnel, quick! Nora, I need a big boom ready in 10! ".

" Aye Aye fearless leader! ". Answered the ginger bomber cheerfully.

" Are you crazy? We can't shoot in here, much less use explosives! ". Asked Weiss in alarm.

" We don't have much choice, is either that or deal with mad n' mean over there! ". The knight pointed with his sword where the form of the Faunus serving the queen of the Grimm approached.

" Nora! Hurry the hell up! ". Yelled Weiss to the bomber after coming to the same conclusion as the knight, a collapsing tunnel was way better that dealing with the mad scorpion.

Once most of the group did it inside the tunnel the knight turned around and kept the closer Grimm off from Nora. " Where you want the shot Fearless leader? ". Asked Nora.

" Center of the roof, at my command! ".

" You got it! ".

The knight managed to hold the line until the enemy was almost upon him, when his target was within the spot he gave the signal. " Now Nora! Shoot! ". The ginger unloaded the grenade from her weapon, a loud ' thud ' was heard and the compact explosive cut the air in a beautiful arc finishing right on the mark.

The explosion was right behind it and the old ruins shook like a house of cards about to to collapse, the knight didn't wait to see if his friend missed and instead trusted in her skills, running next to her he used the shield to block the falling rocks from hurt them and in a synchronized jump they managed to reach the safety of the tunnel as the roof broke and fell blocking the entrance and preventing the enemy from coming after them.

While they were safe from the collapsing danger, the subsequent explosion kicked dust all around them and put them in the prospect of choking from it. The knight quickly pulled the ginger girl in a hug to provide her with a bit of clear air while he closed mouth and eyes in his best try to hold his breath while the dust settled.

He didn't know how much time passed before he felt hands and arms taking him, by then, his head was feeling light and spinning, the last thing he heard before passing out was the worried voice of his friend. " Breathe you dunce! Breathe! ".

"... ".

" ouch! ". Screamed the stallion knight as he retrieved his leg as response to the pain he felt. " Wha-something bit me! ".

" It was me you donkey! You were hugging me too tight! You almost choke me! ". Yelled Mint from her sleeping bag.

" I'm sorry Mint! I'm so sorry, I was... I was having a dream, a nightmare, sorry ".

" That's ok, just... don't do it next time, or I'll bite you harder, you heard me? ".

" Ugh! You two make a lot of noise ".

" What time is it anyway? ".asked the unicorn filly.

" I think is way too early for waking up, go back to sleep you two, I'll check things outside for a bit ". Said the knight as he walked outside of their refuge, a cave on the side of a small hill, it was big enough for maybe double of their number but not too deep, before retreating inside the entrance was blocked with rocks and logs to prevent bigger creatures from getting in.

Outside Knight looked carefully at the sight before him, several trees of unknown kind, unlike the ones in the previous patch of the forest those were bare of any kind of fruit or but, it was a mystery for Knight how they reproduced without any, or maybe they were just out of season. The sky was slightly clouded and the stars shone with full force, still, they were nothing compared to the moon, its light offered more that enough light to make the whole area visible, he could detect Grimm just fine but he was glad to have the Moon's help to prevent another kind of attacks.

At a few feet away he was a flat stone large enough to stand so he jumped over there, once in place, Knight closed his eyes and focused like before, trying to locate the vile mass of darkness that the Grimm represented, he felt it, not close enough to be an immediate danger, but still within reach of his sense. The mass felt... disturbed, a bad sign, normally it meant that it has found a victim recently, when Grimm killed a victim, rather that get calm, it grew in hunger, the evil queen that created them added that feature in order to make them more relentless against its target, Humanity, or in this case, Ponykind.

What worried him more was the direction the mass was taking, slightly in the same one they were taking, if so then it was no doubt that they were in route to Lonesome Saddle.

" We need to get there before then, I whish I was as fast as Ruby ". A sigh escaped him as he sunk in his sadness unaware of the weak glow his Cutie Mark was producing, changing briefly from his normal two arcs to a red rose before returning to the original form. After taking some mental notes Knight returned to the hole with his new friends.

LONESOME SADDLE...

A young unicorn stallion restlessly moved from left to right in front of the house that served as Mail office, while prancing, he mumbled endlessly to himself.

" They should be fine, right? The town must be still standing, right? Is not like a bunch of those things destroyed the village, right? Right! ". As soon as the door opened to start serving for the day he jumped at the mare who worked there. " Any word yet from Canterlot?! Is the army coming? The heroes of Harmony?! The princesses?! Anypony?! ".

" Argh! Get off me you crazy horse! ". The mare pushed him away dumping him on the wooden floor. " By the Princess, you're gonna give me a heart attack! ".

" So-sorry ma'am, is just that, it has been three days already, I need to bring help with me to my village, my two younger siblings are there waiting for me as well as the rest of the ponies ".

" Ok, I get it, but there still no answer from Canterlot and the last message we got from the Legion is that a division was in its way here, they should be here before the end of the day and they'll need a guide to get there, that's why you have to stay ".

" I know but... Is just, I got this ugly feeling in my guts, like something horrible just happened ".

" Just hang in there for today, ok? I'm sure that your family is fine ".

" I hope so ma'am, I hope so ". With nothing else to do the stallion walked back to the small shelf given to him to stay, back to waiting.

CHANGELING HIVE...

" What news have you brought me ".

" My que- I mean, mother, the ponies are still in waiting, a few shifted their positions a little but nothing drastic, our scouts and ambush units are taking places among the enemy, within hours we'll be able to strike, Mother! ".

" Excellent! So, what do you think Savage? Can you support any of your skills into the battle? ".

" He he he, oh I can think of a few tricks I can show them, he he he, very interesting, to think that my little siblings can disguise as ponies and cause chaos from within, he he, very much interesting, he he he, can't wait to sink my stinger into those soft, squishy, colorful little birdies wah ha ha ha! ".

Chrysalis didn't feel sorry for the ponies outside, rather she hoped for them go away or rot in the ground but deeply she hoped for them to live long enough to kill the mad Changeling and get him off of her back.

NEAR LONESOME SADDLE...

Galloping through the clear path of the road, the three ponies did a better time now that some of the fog cleared off. However as much as Bubblegum would hurry, he was having trouble keeping up with Knight who was carrying both his and Mint's bags as well as his weapon and the filly herself over his back.

" Wa-wait! Let's take a breather, I... I can't keep up! Uf uf uf, I think I'm gonna puke! ".

" O-ok, take it easy, don't push yourself ".

" How... Uf uf, how the heck can you move so fast! Is like that Pegasus I heard about, Rainbow Dart or something, uf uf ".

" Really? I didn't thought I was going too fast, I told Mint to tell me if she was having trouble with my speed but so far she had been quiet ".

" That's because she can't! She's removing all the bugs caught in her mane and mouth".

As in que, Mint jumped down with her canteen in her telekinesis gulping and spitting out water. " Blwaaaah! Disgusting! Next time, give a warning before you turn our sprint into still race will ya?! ". Mint kept cleaning her mouth from the bug's juices.

" I'm sorry, I didn't noticed I was going that fast, actually I have no idea I could run that fast, but then again, I haven't try running at full speed yet ".

" Well? News flash! Is too freaking fast! ". Said Mint after gulping the last of water in her canteen.

" Sorry again, but I think we did pretty good time, the town must be near ". Said Knight happy that they were ahead of the Grimm horde.

Mint inspected another mark found in another tree. " You're right, I remember this mark and is one of the closest to the town, we should be there in a couple of hours! ".

" Good, then take a break, I'll scout a little around, but keep yourselves close, ok? ".

" Sure thing Knight ".

" Yeah, whatever ".

NEAR THE CAMP OF THE 9 DIVISION...

" This is Princess Luna to the 9th Division, do you read me? Over! ". Luna called again as she approached another clearing, it was extremely difficult to find the camp with so many trees and hills blocking a clear view, and despite the use of the whispering stone Luna couldn't make contact with anypony. This combined with the abrupt loss of many dreams last night was giving Luna a bad feeling.

As she took high once again for better view, she saw part of the forest still covered by that damned fog, the thick and tall trees have prevented the wind from dissipate the fog completely in this part of the woods.

Luna heard a beeping noise coming from her saddle bag. " He-help, help... me! Please!". Luna quickly took the magic stone out of her bag once more.

" Princess Luna here! Answer, where are you? Are you part of the 9th? ".

" Plea-se! Help! ". Said the voice again, weaker this time.

" It's me, Princess Luna! I'm came to help you but I need to know where you are? Where's your camp? ". Asked Luna again as she tried to distinguish the area.

The silence stretched for a while before the pony found his strength to speak again.
" Camp is near a double hill... Just behind the tallest one... I'm, I'm bleeding out, please hu-Oh no... No, there's one of them still here! Please save- ". The rest of the message changed to screams and growls.

Luna flapped her wings faster, she found the double hills easy enough but the distance was quite long, still, she did her best. She used a spell to boost her stamina and speed and remembered every trick Rainbow Dash mentioned to fly faster.

It worked better that she hoped as she soon reached the place, she was ready to enter in battle but not to see the ghost of the massacre that took place. Blood spilled everywhere, pony remains scattered, bodies twisted and mauled to become almost unrecognizable, the stink of blood and entrails was like a fist to her nose. When she got some of her focus back she realized that she was standing on top of what was left from a pegasus wing, she jumped back, as she landed her back left hoof landed in a poodle of blood that splashed her previously immaculate dark blue fur.

Her body froze at the horrible display of gore and violence, her stomach fought against the contest inside to not let it out. Her eyes watered by both the image and the putrid combination of smells. She had been expecting a fight and yes maybe some dead and injured, but this, this wasn't anything like that, this was similar to a force of nature, predators overwhelming its pray and showing no ounce of Mercy for them.

" Haaaaaa-rgh! " A loud scream followed by a crunching sound forced Luna out of her thoughts. She recognized the voice as the pony from earlier and moved following the agonizing sounds he found his target.

Again she was given a nightmare inducing vision, a boar like creature, covered in black hide and protected by white bone plates was consuming the leg of the pegasus while still alive and twisting his body in a futile intent of free himself. One of the wings of the pegasus was gone already by unknown mean while several other injuries could be seen in the rest of his body, not even the breastplate or the helmet of the pegasus have survived undamaged, and now this poor soul was been eaten alive.

Rocking his body in desperation, the guard finally saw Luna at the distance and extended a leg toward her, his eyes showing the spark of hope at the sight of his princess and savior. " Help me! ".

Luna's blood became ice cold, her wings weighting a ton suddenly, her hooves cemented to the ground, all the fear the princess was experiencing actually end up attracting the beast more that the pony in its mouth. With a final chomp from its Jaws, the pegasus let one final curling scream of agony as his leg was amputated. The beast now turning to meet his next meal. Still chewing at the leg , the Boarbatusk locked its red eyes into Luna's blue ones, measuring how much of a threat she could be, in her it felt the fear, that simple emotion that marked any living thing as a target to be destroyed, spitting the leg away, the armored boar pranced on the ground and in a random second, it broke into a sprint.

Luna was still in shock when her enemy gained enough momentum to use its special attack, the Grimm turned its body making itself into a wheel of death, it was just the experience from previous fights in her life that snapped Luna out of her trance and into action, as the black beast almost hit her, Luna dodged with a strong flap of her wings in a semi-dash, the beast passed close enough to send a trail of mud and blood on her way, the awful combination hitting Luna in the side of her body, but now Luna was alert, alert and coming to the realization that this was a battle to the dead, no friendship or good will would turn this creatures into a lovely critter like the ones who lived with Fluttershy, this, was a killer, a predator who only purpose in life was to devour what was in front of it, so then, Luna would show no mercy.

" I don't know what malevolent entity you are or where do you came from, but I know this... That poor pony was the last victim you'll ever taste, now face me vile creature! The Princess of the night challenge thee! ".

Luna charged her horn in preparation, the Boarbatusk turned to meet her once more, after measuring the distance it charged again, this time it didn't turn into a ball as before, it did it when it was close enough to score a bit in the Alicorn, but Luna was ready, when the Grimm came within reach Luna let loose a blast from her horn that stroke the area in front of the rampaging boar, the hole left from the blast caused the Grimm to lose control of it soon and was derailed from its course. Luna then used a spell long put to rest, a spell used only in time of war that she and her sister used when there was no other option. A pair of dark blue spears appeared at each side of Luna, then with a flick of her wings the two magic manifestations went flying with blinding speed, the first one slammed in the protected back of the beast disappearing with no damages caused, but the second one sunk deep in the beast's belly, the surprise of the attack and the pain caused the Grimm to end its spinning attacks.

The Boarbatusk end up on it side with the magic spear still lodged in its guts, Luna didn't took any chances and summoned two more spears that attacked the black beast pinning it to the ground with incredible force.

Luna found the creature less of a challenge as she expected but nevertheless, one that deserved to have it existence wiped from Equestria. The Boarbatusk struggled to get free, if it felt pain, sounds couldn't tell. Luna hovered in top of the monster boar. " You don't belong in this world, do you? Maybe from that world where Sunset Shimmer went, whatever the case, Begone! ". Magic sprung from Luna's horn and bit the beast in the face.

The bone mask was tough but under the constant barrage of magic of the highest power, broke. Next came the real face of the beast, that one had less resistance and soon it melted along brain, eyes and skull, one final squeal left the boar before it went limp forever, then its body started to release a black smoke, wary of it, Luna moved away just in case the gas was poisonous, slowly, the creature turned completely into smoke and disappeared in the wind letting nothing behind except the chaos that it created.

Finally remembering the injured pony Luna turned tail and went to his last location. Luna found him alive, still trying to get to safety, Luna used her magic to lift him off the muddy ground and used her magic to heal him, as the pegasus felt the sudden change he panicked. " Ssssh ssssh, it's me my little pony, princess Luna, the monster is no more, he can't hurt you anymore, you will be fine now ". Luna used more magic trying to seal the wounds and increase his energy but she could feel his life slipping away.

" It, it hurts! I, I can't see " responded the pony with less strength.

" It's ok my little pony, just relax, rest, you did your part, all you need to do now is relax". Luna changed the purpose of her magic, instead of healing it acted like anesthesia, dulling the pain.

" I, I feel... better ". The pony relaxed in her hold as Luna kept her voice in check, fighting back tears of sorrow for the departing soul. After a few more minutes, Luna heard one last intake of air before the guard became still in her magic embrace.

Resting the body in the ground Luna let her tears flow as she inspected the rest of the camp, each turn let her speechless, more dead and the horrible sign of struggle against an enemy no pony was ready for. In the biggest tent which turned to be the commanding tent Luna found a map displaying the various locations as well as some documents, she engraved the map in her memory to know where Lonesome Saddle was located, she took a look at the documents and found two interesting notes.

The first one spoke about the creatures, as the 9th Division marched toward Lonesome Saddle they came across survivors of some of the other settlements attacked, the reports indicated the appearance of different creatures, all having in common this appearance and their viciousness. The report also detailed that the number of the black creatures was increasing with each encounter, the last info reported around 30 to 40 of those monsters, much of then a flying bird kind.

Luna shrugged, to think that there were so many, she fought one with not much problem but she was powerful and had strong magic, any other normal pony with little to non fighting skills would be made easy pray.

The second report was more curious for the night princess, according to many of the rescued witnesses, some other f them encountered and we're subsequently saved by a young stallion dressed like a a royal guard with a black hoodie.

The witnesses described the knight as brave and a bit awkward but able to take down the black monsters with ease. That did surprised Luna, without powerful magic Luna doubted that a normal unicorn would be able to put off a fight against one of those creatures, let a long a bunch of them.

" If this pony can really fight those monsters then I must find him and ask how he does it ". After memorizing the info about the mysterious pony Luna walked out of the tent, for her it was a shame that she couldn't properly bury those brave ponies of the 9th or offer a their deserving farewell, but time was priceless and more pony lives would be lost if she didn't hurry and catch that horde of evil. Bowing to the camp to show her respects, Luna promised herself and the spirits of the 9th that she would make their dead count and protect the town of Lonesome Saddle, at all cost.

CAMP OF THE 11TH LEGION OF THE ROYAL GUARD...

A guard in the 4th Division was busy dismounting several sand bags from a barrier that the group had put together just the day before. He was half way through when a fellow unicorn guard approached him to ask about his actions.

" What in the name of Celestia are you doing Private? ". Asked the new unicorn.

" Ugh! Can't see good enough? I'm taking down this wall of waste! ". Answered the annoyed pony still putting down bag after bag with his magic.

" That's not waste inside those bags Private! And watch your tongue when talking to a superior! ". The other guard spun around to look at the other unicorn.

" Superior? I don't see a badge, and for your information I didn't mean that the inside of the bag was a waste, I mean it because we were ordered to do this barrier yesterday in a hurry just to dismantled today with just minutes before lunch! A total waste of effort! ".

" I... I didn't heard anything like that, when was this order issued? ".

" Not too long ago, how come you're a superior officer and you didn't heard about it, very suspicious ".

" Do you think I'm a Changeling? And how do I now you aren't one! For all I know you're probably lying and waiting for me to turn around and give you an opening! Right? Bug?".

" Who are you calling a bug, you bug? You look more suspicious that me! ".

The two unicorns stared at each other, moving slightly to gain a bit of advantage, the standoff last only a few minutes before it broke. " You know what? This is stupid, no way I'm gonna spend my whole day here starring at your ugly face! ".

" Likewise! Eh? Oh look! Princess Luna is back ".

" Really? Where? Argh! ". Taking his eyes off from the other unicorn earned him a magic blast to the side which hit him without any resistance.

" Aaaargh! You... You shot me! Ho-how could you! ".

" Ha! You think I would let you shot me first? In your dreams you maggot, I got you good, look at that green bloo... ". The other guard froze when instead of green it was red that the other pony spilled the ground.

" Wha-what? That's, that's ".

" That's my blood you moron! ". Said the other unicorn weakly.

" But-but I thought- ". His excuse was cut when a loud explosion followed by a the buzzing of hundred of wings and the screams of combat broke through the entire front.

Like a black cloud, Changelings appeared in the air and came down to attack the disorganized and unprepared troops in the first line of the camp. The battle started in favor of the locals, the Changeling attacked from within the lines using tunnels they have dug under the enemy lines, they used the tunnels to infiltrate the ranks of The Royal Guard and to sabotage the sandbag barriers by making them collapse or having the guard themselves dismantle them.

The two unicorns looked with shock as everywhere Changelings would star attacking, some with magic, some would ram thief hard bodies against the armored ponies while the more experienced would grapple them and start sucking their love almost killing them in the process.

Alarms Soon roared all around and Pegasus came to aid the guards bellow with their own weather magic or dropping rocks over the Changelings but as the lines became chaotic and blurred they were forced to stop to prevent friendly fire.

" Don't just stay there! Help me get out of here! I'm hurt because of you, remember? ".

" Su-sure, just let me- ". The ground under them shook as a tunnel digged under them finally collapsed the unharmed unicorn jumped out of the way before falling through the hole but the other one couldn't avoid been sucked inside. " Get me out of here! Hurry! So-something is coming! Oh, buck! What the heck are you? ".

" He he, I'm just a happy little doodle but that happens to find pray in its trap so, is feeding time! He he! ".

" Nnno! Stay away! Don't come any clo- ". The voice of the pony was interrupted with a snapping sound.

" Oh puff! So fragile those little ponies, I just touched him and he was dead a second later... Oh, he he he, no problem, I'll just look for another one, there should be plenty to go around, he he ha! ". From the hole, Savage erupted and quickly moved to grab the other unicorn.

To his credit, the unicorn guard tried to fight back, a pair of fast magic blasts shot in succession toward the face of the big Changeling but both were blocked by his pincers, once in reach Savage tried to capture the pony in his left pincer but it was dodged, the left was not and a powerful blow was delivered to the head and torso of the guard sending him back to the ground. Before he could register what hit him, he was taken in both claws and brought closer to his enemy's face. " He he he, where you trying to tickle me, he he he, well? Let me return the favor, let see... How about, here! ".

Savage delivered a quick stab with his stinger to the unprotected leg of the guard, he let the stinger enough to deliver a small amount of venom, he then removed the stinger watching with glee small amounts of the purple venom oozing out along blood from the wound, next, he let the guard drop to the ground and observed with morbid fascination how his concoction did its job, first the pony started to get dizzy followed by convulsions and finally a mixture of blood and vomit left the pony mouth before he went limp.

" Not bad for a small dosis, too bad it can't hold more but meh ". After dispatching his first victim, Savage looked for the next one, there was plenty to chose from since the battlefield was been littered with both ponies and Changelings, he set his eyes on a tall earth pony stallion currently stomping down on one unlucky bug crushing his skull into mush. " This should be fun, he he he! ". Moving with as much stealth as four hooves would allow him he stalked his pray watching and wondering how well would this one fare.

On the other side of the field, Commander Hardstone was barking orders left and right, trying to stabilize the front and mount a possible counterattack. "Else have enough Pegs on the air? How is the artillery? Can they provide fire support? ".

" We have enough air support right now, sending more would be hindrance more that a help, fire support is impossible right now since the bugs and our troops are head to head, Sir! ".

" How are things in the front then? ".

" We have two Divisions with heavy casualties and two more with many injured, so far we have been able to stop the momentum of the Changeling attack and are about to revert it, but to do so we need the high ground from the area under the 4th but we have lost all contact with them ".

" Send the 6th then, when the area is safe move our fire support there so we can pummel them! ". Said Hardstone convinced of his plan.

" Sir! Yes Sir! ". Sargeant Maroon left to carry out his orders.

" This is prove that you are here, right Bug queen? ". Hardstone asked to no one.

Savage continued stalking his next pray, unfortunately he wasn't as inexperienced as the previous two guards and he was spotted. The stallion looked shocked first but his training kicked in and he adopted a ready stance, dropping any pretention of a silent kill, Savage rushed while giggling menacingly.

" Halt you bug! ". His opponent didn't do as ordered, not that anypony would expect it. Savage tried to smash his tough body against the stallion but he was too nimble for the attack to work. " What kind of Changeling are you? Did Chrysalis mated with a Chimera? ".

" He he he, who knows, what Mama does with her self stays with herself, but you, you are gonna show me what can this form do he he he, wrafffh! ". Savage repeated his charge and the stallion Dodge as before but the charge was just the first part, flailing his tail like a whip Savage broke the balance of the guard who barely avoided the poisoned tip, his back legs was caught in a small hole between two rock and a loud yelp from the guard indicated that there was some damage in the limb.

Knowing what would happen to him if he didn't got his hoof free, the stallion out all his attention in his other legs, Savage saw the opportunity and stalked closer but his joy was gone as surely this one would be another easy pray.

He got within reach and raised his tail high enough for the pony to see what would come, the pony das it but continued to fight against the hole. Savage got closer and his pincers started clicking from anticipation.

Another step and all the sense of victory was vanished when the stallion turned around twisting his leg one more painful time but it give him the the right position, with his weight in his front legs the stallion raised his hind legs to deliver a tree-bucking double kick that Savage barely covered, the sound produced was akin to two rocks smashing again each other. Savage was pushed back hard and fast from the force , falling on his rear, the stallion sucked air and pain and delivered a second and a third kick. The effect was magnified each time, the second hit cracked the chitin of his pincer while the last one broke it and green blood spilled as a scream of pain escaped the mandibles of the scorpion Changeling.

The stallion went for a forth blow but his leg give away and he fell with numbing pain flaring everywhere. " Argh! You..! You bastard! You, he he he. You hurt me! Ha ha ha ha, yes you did, not bad, not bad, is all I get for getting cocky, well done my little pony friend ".

" I'm... Argh! Not your friend, Bug! ".

" Oh, that's too bad, I thought I could make a friend in this world, he he, I got a mom, a friend would be good too, alas, not today, today you die, a shame, but maybe HE will, the one that came with me, oh, look at me, I'm rambling! I didn't this in the other world! This world is a bad influence on me he he. Anyway, for Mama! ".

Savage prepared his good pincer, this time sure that his enemy was done, with no way for it to dodge or block, dead was imminent, but fate was fickle. A noise force Savage to turn his attention to the sky, several forms were circling him and the rest of the Changelings fighting bellow, without aerial troops they were easy pickings.

The pegasus left rocks fell in top of the bugs, some dodged, some got injured, more were squashed, some pegasus flew lower and beat their wings in conjunction forming a depot of clouds that started producing frost and cold, Savage felt his injured pincer throb as the the rest of the joints in his body, a quick look told him that he was beginning to freeze. From behind, a noise similar to a cricket rubbing its back legs called all Changelings back to the hive.

Savage, sighed in frustration, this wasn't a good hunt, but it was a nice first try on what this body could do, before attention felt on him, he returned to the hole where he came from waving his class to the stallion with a whisper that promised a reunion between them, plunging into the hole, Savage disappeared.

At the end of the battle, the Changelings casualties mounted to some hundred with a few captured, they wouldn't talk of course, they preferred to die of starvation rather that betraying the hive and the Queen. In the Royal Guard's side two and a half Divisions were wiped with one more of injured troops, the battle report also found a few ponies missing, indicating captives, the poor souls wouldn't make it either, the Changelings would suck their love for many many weeks until they were to weak to keep living, such was the fate of the POWs. All in all Commander Hardstone could call this a successful counterattack but deep down he couldn't shake off the feeling of defeat.

END OF CHAPTER.

Author's Note

Just one more before PokePon turn. Thanks for reading and hope the story hooks, untill next time.