Pyre

Chapters

Chapter 3: What is to Come & Learn
Chapter 4: Fire Comes to the North - Pt.1
Chapter 5: Fire Comes to the North - Pt.2
Chapter 6: Fire Comes to the North - Pt.3
Chapter 7: Fire Comes to the North - Pt.4
Chapter 8: Fire Comes to the North - Pt.5
Prologue: A Titan of Fire & Metal.
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Hive
Chapter 2: Trials of the Worthy

Chapter 3: What is to Come & Learn

In Canterlot castle, in one of the private meeting rooms, Princess Celestia was talking to one of the royal mages, and a member of the newly formed spy corps. The two ponies were talking to the princess about an anomaly that appeared in the far west of Equestria about, a week or so ago. The anomaly was some kind of magical disturbance, which was so powerful that the sight of the anomaly was saturated with magic, that it was almost unbearable to even breathe or stand. And the source of the anomaly, or the one responsible for the event, were nowhere to be found. All that was at the sight, aside from the over-saturation of magic, was a burnt building, and large heavily pressed footprints that wondered off for a bit, before just disappearing. And after a week of investigating, neither the court mage nor the spy corps could come up with anything.

“—and that’s when the trail finally went cold your majesty, there were no other tracks, signs or anything we could follow.” The member of the spy corps said as he remained in a kneeled bow position, while Celestia sits in her chair slightly rubbing her forehead, and letting out a small sigh.

“I see. So we’re still no closer in solving what created those prints.” Celestia said before looking towards the stallion with a small smile. “Thank you for all of your work Ebony.” The stallion nodded before standing up, and leaving the room. Celestia then looked over a unicorn wearing traditional mage garb.

“Have you managed to identify what type of magic that was used at the sight?” Celestia asked.

“I have your majesty.” The unicorn said. “Upon reaching the origin point of the anomaly, and started my investigation, I’ve concluded that a type of summoning spell was used.”

“Summoning magic?” Celestia question as she quirked a brow, to which the unicorn nodded his head, his long brown beard bouncing slightly. “But summoning magic is so common & one of the more easier spells a unicorn can use. It only allows a pony to summon small things, like an apple, or another pony. No type of summoning could cause such destruction.”

“Believe me your highness, I’m just as bewildered by the discovery as you. But it was indeed summoning magic that was used.” Celestia then stood up from her chair, and walked over to the only window of the room, looking out into the world as a worried look took over her face.

“But, if it, is, summoning magic…what could’ve been summon to cause such destruction at the sight?” Celestia questioned.

“I’m afraid we just don’t know your highness, it’s impossible to tell what the pony did summon.” The mage said in a slight somber tone.

Celestia then excused the mage, while giving him her thanks & gratitude for his work, before she was left alone in the meeting room. Still looking out of the window. A week has passed since she sensed that eruption of magic, and the week prior to that day, was the invasion of the changelings during her nieces wedding. The fact that this bizarre summoning ritual was used, shortly after the wedding, caused Celestia to be slightly fearful. She thought perhaps that Chrysalis was trying to devise a new plan to take over Canterlot again, but thankfully there were no signs of changeling activity, which gave her a little sense of relief, however she was still worried. Mostly about what it is that the mystery spell-caster summoned, and if it was a national threat.

Knock-knock-knock~

The sound of the door being knocked on pulled Celestia out of her thoughts, and used her magic to open the door, where her sister stood. Celestia smiled as she looked at her sister, and ushered her in. Luna enters the room, closing the door behind her, and walked over to her sister.

“You still looked trouble sister, did the report of the anomaly not comeback with desired results?” Luna asked as she & Celestia hugged each other. Celestia nodded before she & Luna separated.

“Yes Luna, and now I’m a little more worried about what I have been told.”

Celestia then explained what the court mage said that a summoning spell gone wrong caused the destruction at the sight, and saturated the area with magic. And possibly summoned something dangerous. After hearing this, Luna was just as puzzled and worried as her sister.

“This is indeed very troubling sister. Very troubling indeed.” Luna said as she took a seat at the small table of the room, with Celestia taking the other chair across from the midnight alicorn.

“Indeed Luna. And since the trail of, whatever, was summoned has disappeared. We do not know what could be wondering Equestria now.” Celestia said as she place her chin on her hands, eyes looking down at a random spot on the table. Both alicorns remained in their state of silence, trying to think on how to proceed with this investigation, and what their next move should be.

~~~~~

Somewhere in the woods, far off from any city or town, a pony stood in front of a board hung on the wall. Various scriptures, pictures and other pieces of papers were pinned to the wall & board, while the white face of the board had various formulas and pictures drawn on it. The pony that was standing in front of the board was a unicorn mare. Tall and lean, wearing a rather baggy grey hoodie, long blue pants. Her coat was a cinnamon brown color, mane & tail were rose red, a little un-kempt, and had a stripe of brown same as her coat running through her mane. Her dark blue eyes scanned the board in front of her, with a very annoyed look on her face, in fact her scowl was so disgruntled, she could turn water into the sourness of lemonades. She was going over the formula of the advance summoning spell she has written down, and was grinding her teeth in annoyance, as she went over the event that happened a week ago.

“I still don’t get it!” the mare grumbled as she starts furiously scratching her head.

“How the Tartarus did the spell go so wrong!? It was supposed to be a simple summoning of a chimera…but now my own private facility is reduced to a smoldering husk.” The mare grumbled. The mare then started to think back to the event of that day.

When she began to initiate the spell, and casted it, a massive portal erupts in the clear white science lab, which caused the room to warp and expand. Causing the lights spark and flicker, while the roof and walls crack and crumble, and the floor began developing cracks. The mare then tried to cancel the spell, but something was, interfering, with her magic and seemed to only cause the portal to pulse, and warp some more. Then the portal suddenly collapsed onto itself…before exploding & creating a barrage of light & fire, knocking the mare into the far wall and destroying all the lights.

After recovering from her volatile throw across the room, the mare’s vision was slightly blurred, she was able to see the thing she summoned before her. Standing only five feet from the downed mare, engulfed in fire and the darkness of the room…a wobbling and sporadically hobbling giant lumbered around. Its flailing arms smashing into fallen pieces of the walls & ceiling, its heavy and large feet stomping around and crushing whatever gets underfoot. Then as the giant cried out in a horrifying guttural roar, as the giant raised its hands into the air crashing through the low hanging ceiling, where fire erupts and bellows from the holes and the ceiling.

And that’s when the mare managed to gather herself, and shake herself out of her fear-stricken stupor, that she managed to teleport herself to a wooden cabin she often lives at. Not knowing what became of her laboratory until she went back to her facility a few days later, and saw the burnt remains of the building.

The mare trots over to a nearby table, and flopping onto a chair, and her head slumping into her hands. Dragging her hands down her muzzle, the mare looks tiredly at the white board, where a hastily sketch of the giant was drawn. Fire outlining its features.

“Just what in Tartarus did I even summon?” she said as she continues to stare at the picture.

~~~~~

Queen Chrysalis was in the vast expanse of the Hive’s library, a myriad of books floating around her. Each of various species in Equestria’s boarders, or outside said boarders, but not one of them had any information on Pyre’s species. Even though Pyre has told the Queen he came from another world, she was still having trouble actually believing it, even if what the human said was supposedly the truth. Using her magic the queen returned all the books to their shelves, and made her way out of the library and procced to walk down the hallways, passing by any of her Soldiers that were lining the halls. The Queen continues her stroll through the halls of the Hive, examining every hall, chamber and every other hall she did not walk through, and as she was walking through the main market chamber, Chrysalis saw Pyre walking amongst her changelings.

She then stood there on the upper floor of the chamber, looking down as her eyes tracked the human’s movements. And she noticed he was not wearing the set of armor he was wearing a few days ago, instead he was wearing a slightly loose black shirt with chained skull design on the chest, a pair of navy-blue jeans, while also wearing a light grey jacket with black markings on the sleeves. The Queen watched as her new mercenary walks from stall to stall, simply browsing what the stalls had, and he seemed to be chewing on something, but from her position Chrysalis could tell what it was. After several minutes of watching the human, the Queen then continued her stroll around the Hive, continuing her inspection of her empire.

Chrysalis then made her way to the upper section of the Hive, and was initially intending to head to her throne room. but she stopped when she was coming across a different door. The door was barely bigger than Queen, and was still made of the same obsidian stone that made up the Hive, but there were several large pieces of emerald, turquoise and sapphire stones embedded into the door, all in an elaborate design that looked like the outline of a Queen changeling. Chrysalis only glanced at the door, before snorting slightly and continuing her march to her throne room, however the Queen was halted when one of her Scouts flew towards her, and skidded to a stop and immediately dropped to a kneeling bow.

“Speak.” Chrysalis said in a gentle, yet still firm tone.

“I bring word from the North your grace.” The Scout said. “Something has, appeared, in the snowy wasteland.” Chrysalis quirked a brow as she fully turned to face the changeling.

“What is this, thing, that just appeared in the waste?”

Chrysalis questioned as she looked down at the changeling mare, who stood up and ignited her horn, and projected an image of what the scout saw. It was hard to see through the snow, but the Queen and the Scout could see what looks like a, castle. Through the snow, and the shakiness of the vision, the Queen could see that the structure in the distance was jagged & straight in its design, and the faintness of shining light could be seen.

“I couldn’t get to close to it your grace, the wind and the snow was starting to get to strong, and I had to retreat before a storm blew in.” the Scout said. Chrysalis continued to examine the image, but after a brief moment a simple gesture of her hand told the mare to end the image.

“Take a squad of Scouts to this castle, or kingdom, and investigate what it is. I want to learn everything you can find.”

Chrysalis ordered, to which the mare saluted before flying off down the hall. Chrysalis then went back to her marching to her throne room, and slipped passed through the large doors as they closed with a deep low, thud. The Queen then sat down on her throne once she reached the large stone seat, and once she was seated she pinged across the Hive Mind, ordering one of her subjects to bring Pyre to the chamber. If this castle or kingdom was a new nation that could pose a threat to the changelings, she wants to get as much information she could before anything could happen. Sometime later the doors to the throne room opened, and Pyre came walking through them, casually strolling over to Chrysalis while chewing on a stick, with some kind of transparent green cone on it. When the human stood before the Queen, he pulled the lollipop from his mouth, and gave a small bow.

“Howdy your highness.” Pyre said before sticking the lollipop back into his mouth. “So, what’s you wanna see me about?”

Chrysalis ignited her horn and created the same image of the structure in the snowy wind. It was an easy thing for Chrysalis to project anything her subjects see, as the Hive Mind allows her to delve into their minds partially, and act as a medium for the changelings thoughts as she projects images.

“A Scout of mine relayed this image to me, and reported that it just appeared in the snowy wastelands up north.” Chrysalis said. “I’ve ordered further investigation of this nation, and if it turns out this kingdom has an enemy force, I want to be prepared.” The last bit she said as she looked down at Pyre, who developed a small grin, and his eyes turned red and glowed slightly.

“And my involvement in this matter is…” Pyre left the sentence hang in the air, obviously getting a little excited at the prospect of what the Queen might be suggesting. And Chrysalis smiled as she saw the human getting excited.

“This will be your first assignment.” Chrysalis smirked. “Accompany my Scouts, and help determine what the situation is, and if the need arises…” Chrysalis’s smirk grew just a hair as her own eyes glowed.

“Provide back-up, if anything happens.” Pyre gave a grand bow as he slightly tilted his head up, his eyes slightly being covered by his bangs.

“With pleasure.”

Chapter 4: Fire Comes to the North - Pt.1

Author's Note

buckle up for a wild ride folks, because this is going to be a LONG trip in the frozen north.

Chapter 4: Fire Comes to the North - Pt.1

Three changeling Scouts trudged through the howling winds of northern Equestria, as the snow pelted there carapaces and armor, and shivering from the cold. Their wings were too stiff and cold to even try and fly, so there forced to walk through 5 inches of snow, chilling their legs to the core. Their armored covered hooves and sheens were so cold, the Scout’s couldn’t even feel them any more after walking for three hours, and hour-n-half of trudging through the snow. The only one who wasn’t affected by the cold was Pyre, as he was nice and comfy inside Scorch’s cockpit.

“You guys do know I can just carry all of you until we reach our destination, right.” Pyre said over the intercom of Scorch’s mic. “Because at this pace, you guys will be popsicles before we even get to this place.”

“We’ll m-manage.” The lead Scout, Erosa, said with chittering teeth. With arms clutched tightly to her body, and special cloak wrapped around her body, which was barely keeping the cold out.

Pyre sighed and started to grab each of the Scouts, one by one, and placing them on top of Scorch’s hatch and back. Despite what the changelings said or argued, they actually appreciated the gesture, and just accepted the ride. They even bundled up and tried to warm each other up. the group continued their march through blinding snow and wind, but as they marched through the snow, they all got this, sense, that something was, off. Like something was watching them, but they all collectively just shrugged it off as they figured it was just an animal.

Another thirty or so minutes of slowly walking through the snow, and eventually the group came upon the area where Erosa initially saw the castle-like structure. In fact, it was just over the snowbank in front of them. With their destination right in front of them, Pyre decided to seek shelter for his changeling passengers, otherwise they would probably freeze before they could even start their mission. Lucky for the group, there was a cave nearby where they could take shelter.

Entering the cave the changelings slid off Scorch’s back, and started to pull out crystals from their packs, and when the crystals were placed together they created a warm glow, but it wasn’t enough to fully warm the changelings up. But a quick blast of fire from Scorch’s right hand onto the crystals, created a pretty big fire that was now warm enough to push away the cold of the cave, and the wind that comes blowing in from the entrance. Thankfully Pyre placed Scorch in direction of the cave’s entrance, and acted as a shield from the wind.

“I can finally feel my hooves again.” The third changeling, a gruff looking stallion, said as he rubbed his hoof after removing his greaves.

“Agreed.” The second changeling, another mare, said as she sat really close to the fire, cloak still wrapped around herself. She then looked over to Scorch, who opened its hatch and Pyre could be seen stretching. “Thanks for the ride Pyre.”

“No problem.” Pyre simply said before kicking back in the cockpit.

“Let’s rest up, get some feeling back into you guys, then start the mission.” Pyre said as he looked around. “Luckily we have a place we can make as a temporary base, while you guys go exploring in that city.”

“True.” Erosa said as she huddled between the fire, and Scorch’s sitting position.

The group spent a good while around the fire, slowly warming up and getting feeling back into their bodies, while the changelings ate some special kind of green balls. As for Pyre, he ate some Chimera meat he got a few days after being hired as a mercenary, as well as something that was like a spicy cucumber sandwich. But as they all ate and relaxed, Erosa’s ears kept flicking about, and it wasn’t because her ears were picking up the blowing winds outside. Instead her ears were picking up something that sounded like, whispers. Ignoring the strange noises she’s hearing for now; the changeling went back to her eating.

“So guys, do you have a plan, or are you just going to waltz into the castle and have a look around?” Pyre asked as he finished his sandwich.

“First will merely skim across the edge of the castle grounds, or the city limits if it’s just not the tower by itself.” Erosa said. “From there we’ll simply observe the perimeter, and then we’ll figure out how to proceed.”

“Well at least it’s a plan.” Pyre said.

“Trust us Pyre, we’ll show you what we can do.” The stallion of the group said to the human.

“Just try not put yourselves in danger, kay.” Pyre said cheekily. “I may be here as back up, but don’t expect me to come rushing in to save your asses.” The three changelings chuckled at Pyre’s joke, while Pyre just snickered for a bit before eating his manticore meat.

But a moment later a strong gust of wind blows into cave, nearly putting out the fire and chilling the changelings & Pyre down to their bones. The changelings more so as their bodies weren’t meant to withstand the cold. And as the winds continued to blew through the cave’s entrance, the whole group heard this bizarre, menacing chuckle on the wind, which sent a chill down the groups spines. Climbing up onto the shoulder of the titan, Pyre looked out to the cave entrance and saw the snow was really coming down hard, but even so, Pyre could see some kind of black mass rush past the entrance.

Hopping into Scorch’s cockpit & closing the hatch, the titan then rose to its feet and lumbered its way to the entrance, Thermite Launcher in Scorch’s hands at the ready. As for the changelings they huddled closer to the fire, and kept a wary eye on the titan as it made its way to the cave’s mouth. Reaching the mouth of the cave the titan then scanned the area, looking for any trance of what the black mass was. And the source of the menacing chuckling. But as the titan scanned the surrounding area, even with the raging snow filled winds, the titan continues to scan the area for anything. And still nothing was coming up on scanners…but that’s when something big and heavy came crashing down on top of Scorch, causing the titan to crash into the snow bank.

“Pyre, Scorch!” all three changeling Scouts shouted as they rushed to the cave’s entrance, and seeing a big yeti grappling Scorch and is trying to peel away the titans armor. But the metal giants armor was too strong for the big bipedal snow ape.

“Sorry buddy, but I’m not into being mounted from behind.”

Pyre joked over his titans mic, and elbowed the yeti in the side of its chest, audibly cracking a few of its ribs. When the yeti winced in pain, Scorch took the opportunity and managed to shoulder check the yeti so now it was fully off the titan, allowing Scorch to grab the snow ape by its wrist. And with one swift motion, the titan spun around and tossed the ape over twelve feet, skidding across the snow bank.

“Pyre are you alright!?” the second changeling mare shouted over the wind, while still trying to keep warm with her cloak.

“Yeah I’m fine, but damn that guy scared the crap out of me when he jumped me.” Pyre said as he picked up his weapon that he dropped from the initial tackle. “Alright big guy, time for you to scoot.”

Pyre said as he fired a shot from his Thermite Launcher, nearly striking the snow ape in the chest. But it just barely skimmed by an inch, before diving into the snow and melting the white snow. The big yeti only roared at Scorch and its piolet, before running forward with one arm raised high ready to strike the titan, but the metal giant just gripped its weapon in both hands, and swung it to the side and when the yeti was a foot from the titan. Scorch slammed the butt of the launcher into the snow apes head, dropping the beast in an instant! The yeti was still alive, but it was knocked out cold as the snow slowly starts covering its body.

“That should take care of that problem.” Pyre said as he made his way to the cave, and going back to the fire, and re-ignite it. The changelings took one last look at the downed yeti, before following behind the titan and returning to circle the flame, as the titan unleashes fire from its right palm again. “You guys stay put, I’m gonna dispose of our friend outside. And make sure he doesn’t come back around.”

Pyre said as he headed back outside, grabbed the yeti and hauled it or Scorch’s shoulder. The titan then started to walk off into the raging snow storm, only for about a couple of yards, and upon reaching the side of a large ditch the titan dropped the still knocked out yeti. After dumping the yeti into the ditch the titan turned to walk back to the cave, but its march stopped when something caught the piolets eyes. The same black mass. With curiosity peaked, the titan pulled out the Thermite Launcher, and went off into the direction where the black mass was.

Marching through the snow the titan continued to make its way over to where the black mass was seen, and that’s when the titan saw it. The mass was large in size, nearly as big as the Ursa Minor, and it was continuing to pound into an invisible force surrounding the castles boarders. The titan simply watched as the, thing, continues its relentless pounding, but nothing it does seems to allow it to pass the boundary line of whatever invisible wall it was striking. Eventually the black mass ceased it’s pounding, made a guttural roar of some kind, and strolled off into the blizzard. When the thing left Scorch then made its way down to the castles boundary, and as the titan closed in Pyre saw building and other structures, and some grassy fields. Reaching the now clarified city the titan reached out a hand, but it touched nothing. The hand didn’t come in contact with anything, so the titan took a step forward and was able to step onto grassy field.

“Well…this little mission just got more interesting.” Pyre said to himself, before turning around and going back to the cave to inform what he has learned to Erosa, and the others.

“Interesting.” Erosa said as she tapped her chin, before looking up at human. “And this black mass you saw, it couldn’t enter the cities boarders?” she asked, to which Pyre shook his head.

“Not an inch, it was like it was bashing against a brick wall. Damn thing gave up a minute later, and gave off a horrible howl, like a dog that was drunk and was kicked in the nuts afterwards.” Pyre said which got the changelings to chuckle & laugh. “So is the plan still the same, or are you changing anything?” the other two changelings looked to Erosa, who was thinking of said plan.

“…for the time being, let us see if we can even enter the city, and if we do we’ll stick the original plan. However…” Ersoa looked back up to Pyre. “If that thing show’s up, and somehow makes it into the city—”

“That’s where I come in.” Pyre said with a smirk.

“Yes.” Erosa said. “But for now we should rest up, and wait until daybreak to start our mission tomorrow.” The others nodded as they bundled up more into their cloaks, while Scorch began moving.

“Oi where you going?” the second mare asked.

“Standing guard, just in case of another yeti attack, or that thing comes strolling by.”

Pyre said as Scorch’s heavy footsteps reverberated through the cave. Reaching the mouth of the cave, Scorch closed its hatch, and brought out its weapon and sat down. Blocking the majority of the biting wind that would enter the cave behind him. inside the cockpit Pyre sat comfortably, where he sat and was looking at a black smart phone in hand…a picture of a tan girl in a bikini on the phones screen.

A small, yet sad smile took over the human’s face, as a small stream of tears rolls down from his right eye. More tears started to flow, this time from both eyes as Pyre slides through more pictures, of the same girl and him on the beach. At the mall with friends. In a living room during Christmas, both wearing large sweaters, covered in a blanket with a cup of coco in hand and watching old Christmas movies. Turning the phone off Pyre leaned back into his piolet seat, and just stared out to the bleak world outside the cave’s mouth.

“Really starting to miss you Amber.” Pyre mumbled to himself. “The only thing that drags this whole experience down, is not being with you.”

Chapter 5: Fire Comes to the North - Pt.2

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 6: Fire Comes to the North - Pt.3

“…and that’s all what happened.” Pyre had just finished explaining everything that happened mere moments ago to Erosa, and the other two changelings, while they all huddled in an alleyway.

And as the changeling’s listened, they were honestly surprised that Pyre not only made contact with the heroines of Equestria, but also faced a giant smoke monster, and hold his own. Now honestly Pyre thought that Erosa would be upset, but surprisingly she’s not, in fact she’s mostly calm and seemingly trying to figure things out.

“…well, despite a few hiccups, I think we’re still good for the time being.” Erosa said before looking to Pyre. “Did these ponies seem suspicious of you?” Pyre shook his head.

“Nah. If anything, they were more shocked, or confused.” Pyre simply said. “And I think if I play my cards right, I might be able to be trusted by these, ponies?” Erosa nodded.

“If I get into these ponies good graces, I could spy on them, without raising suspicion.”

“He’s right.” the stallion of the group said. “If he manages to get in the ponies inner circle, we could have a special agent that the Queen can use to set up whatever plans she might have. I’m certain she would want revenge on them.” the other two changelings nodded, before looking over to Pyre, and Erosa spoke.

“Pyre, as leader of this operation I want you to try and infiltrate the ponies ranks, I will report to the Queen about this, and hope she will see the opportunity with this.” Pyre smirked before pushing off the wall he was leaning on.

“You got it captain.” Pyre said before walking back out into the street, while the changelings remained in the alleyway.

Erosa & the changelings went deeper into the darken alleyway, and once they felt they were far in, and that they won’t be disturbed. Erosa’s eyes then glowed an eerie glow, along with her horn, where her magic started to form a small ball. The other two changelings eyes & horns glowed as well, before feeding magic to Erosa’s horn, increasing the balls size. Then a moment later, the ball shined a beam of light down in front of the trio, where an image of Queen Chrysalis on her throne now stands.

“My Queen, can you hear me?” Erosa asked.

“Yes Erosa, I do. Why have you called me?” Chrysalis asked in a slight miffed tone, which caused the Scouts to kneel, before Erosa spoke.

“I believe we have managed to find an excellent opportunity to take revenge on Twilight Sparkle, her friends, and the royal couple that forted your conquest plan of Canterlot.” Ersoa said. On the other side of the relayed message, the changelings could actually feel the Queen smile, and hear a small chortle.

“I’m listening.” Chrysalis said as she sat up straighter in her stone throne, crossing her legs as she rest her head on her left hand.

~~~~~

Pyre was walking around the Crystal Empire, and was surprised just how these, ponies, could live in building actually made out of crystal. Back home people would go crazy just to get their hands on 1% of the whole city, which could probably make them millions if they tried to sell them. As the human continued to walk through the streets of the city, he passes by who looked like the inhabitants. They looked like the ponies he saved from, whatever that black mass was, but something was off about them, they all looked so, drained. Their coats & mains looked as if they were bleached, all being dulled grey in color, with the smallest amount of what could be their original color shun through.

As Pyre continues to look around, he noticed that the empire, and the ponies that he can see, all had a strange Greek vibe about them. the structures looked like the ones in Greek history books, and the ponies were wearing toga’s, or other fashions that those of ancient Greek would wear. But aside from the ponies & the structures, there wasn’t much else to look at. No other animals could be seen, very little plans or gardens were about, and the streets were basically empty. Looking back at the ponies that he can see; Pyre feels sorry for them. they looked so, miserable.

“What’s with these ponies. They all look like zombies.” Pyre said to himself as he looked from one pony, to another. Seeing their gloom and downtrodden faces, as they shamble about, or just sit or lay about.

“Pyre!” the human turned to see the purple pony, Twilight if he remembered correctly, was running towards him. “I’m glad I found you.”

“Oh? And why is that?” Pyre asked as he turned to face the pony, as she came to a stop, catching her breath.

“Because my brother, and my sister-in-law, have a proposition for you.”

“What kind of deal?” Pyre asked.

“It’s best that you come and hear it from them.” Twilight said, before her horn began igniting. “I’ll teleport us to—”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa there! I have a bad history with teleportation, so I rather that you not teleport me.” Pyre said. Partially lying, and partially telling the truth, as he was brought here by being teleported. Which was pretty obvious. Twilight stopped her magic channeling.

“I’m sorry I didn’t know.” Twilight said, but Pyre just waved it off. “Alright then, we’ll just have to walk there then.”

Both Twilight & Pyre began walking towards the castle, which was the easiest thing to find, and spot, as it stood in the very center of the empire. As they closed in on the castle, less and less of the crystal ponies could be seen, it’s as if they were avoiding the castle like the plague. When the pair made it to the castle and enters it, Pyre followed Twilight through the winding stare cases and halls of the castle, which was rather boring and dull. It probably would’ve been better to have just teleported. But after twenty minutes of walking, in total, the pair eventually made it to the throne room, where the rest of Twilight’s friends were, as well as Shining Armor. And a rather curvy pink furred pony, who looked just as drained as the crystal ponies outside, but she still retains color. She looked so tired, and even through her blue dress, Pyre could tell that this mare is malnourished. In fact she looked ready to collapse and pass out.

“Hey there everyone, miss me?” Pyre said jovially as he looked at Shining Armor, and who he assumed was Twilight’s sister-in-law.

“So Shining Armor, your sister says you have a deal for me?” the stallion nodded, before helping the pink mare stand up and walk down the thrones steps. When the pair made their way down, the pink mare tried to bow, but nearly buckled.

“Is she…alright? She looks like she hasn’t eaten, or slept in days.” Pyre said worriedly as he looked at the mare.

“Because she hasn’t.” Shining said as he held the mare. “This is my wife, princess Mi Amora Cadenza. And for the past few days she’s been keeping a constant shield up, protecting the city from King Sombra.”

“Whose King Sombra?” Pyre asked.

“He’s that black mist that we had a run in out in the tundra.” Shining said. “And that’s why we’ve brought you here.” After Shining had finished his sentence, Cadence spoke up.

“From what the others have told me, you were able to fend off Sombra, correct?” Pyre nodded to the princess’s question. “Then please, I ask you to help us. Protect the empire, while my sister and her friends search for a solution to permanently protect the empire.” Cadence all but begged as she looked hopeful at the human.

“Hmmmmm.” Pyre hummed, bringing a hand to his chin, tapping it with a finger. “I’ll have to think about it.” The moment that Pyre said those words, the ponies all gasped while looking shocked. The blue pegasus of the group then spook up.

“What do you mean you’ll think about it!” she screeched, her raspy voice actually causing the human to flinch, as she flaps right next to him.

“I mean, that I will think on wither or not to help you. I don’t do things for free…I am a mercenary after all.”

“A mercenary!” the group of 8 ponies, and one dragon, said in unison. Out of the group, Shining Armor looked the more shocked. “But what are you doing all the way out here?” the pegasus screeched again.

“Therein lies my problem.” Pyre said, before spinning a yarn that just came to mind, hoping it will pass as a good cover story for himself.

“I had a bad run in with an old rival of mine, a real pain in my ass. We were assigned the same contract, but I was the one to collect it. So in his jealously, he teleported me somewhere that I won’t get in his way.” Pyre said as he rubbed the back of his head. “Although I guess he wasn’t thinking of a specific place to, whisk me away to, so I ended up here.”

“That makes sense.” Twilight said, getting everyone’s attention, including Pyre. “If somepony doesn’t have a clear image of where they are attempting to teleport to, then the destination would be drastically set off course. If not, fatal.”

“That’s basically the jest of it.” Pyre said as he shrugged his shoulders, before going back to a casual standing manner. “So now I’m stranded here, no idea on how to get to back home.”

“Very well then.” Cadence spoke up as she stood as straight as she could, flaring her wings out as much as she could, and trying to look as regal as she can. Pyre turned to face the princess, a curious expression on his face.

“As a princess of Equestria, I, Princess Mi Amora Cadenza, acting ruler of Crystal Empire, will pay whatever amount of bits you want. Or aide you in returning you home. If you help defend the empire.”

Pyre then shifted into another thinking stance, this time closing his eyes. The ponies waited patiently to hear what his decision would be, but in truth, Pyre was running a different type of scenario in his head. all though he is contracted with the changeling Hive, merely out of basic life necessity, and nothing more, he has a feeling that the Queen might not be willing to part with such a useful person like him. if what he has learned from the changelings of the Hive.

But that doesn’t mean he can fully trust these ponies either. For all Pyre knows, they could be just as bad as the changelings, however he has the sense that maybe, just maybe, the ponies might actually help him return home. Return to Amber. Opening up his eyes, Pyre looked to the princess.

“I’ll hold you to your promise princess, but be warned, I don’t like being crossed about my payment.” Pyre said which got a small smile from the princess.

“Does that mean you, and your giant, will help us?” Cadenza asked, which Pyre nodded in return.

“Now that we established my contract, I’m going to need some basic information since I don’t know your lands pretty well. Also, tell me what you know about Sombra.”

~~~~~

While Cadence & Shining Armor talk to Pyre, explaining basic information of Equestria, and about King Sombra, Twilight & her friends stood a few feet away. All looking at Pyre with interest. Now that he wasn’t wearing his armor, and they didn’t have to rush to the castle, they were able to get a good look at his form. But while they looked the human over, Applejack looked like she was a little nervous, there was just something about the human that rubbed her the wrong way. He seemed like a nice guy, for a mercenary who fights for money, but she shook the odd feeling away as the royal couple finished with all of their explanations.

“So do you guys have a plan?” Pyre asked as he looked over at Twilight & her friends.

“I think the best thing we can do for now, is to go around the city and see if the crystal ponies know anything.” Twilight replied. “What will you do now Pyre?” the human thought about it for a moment.

“Well…since I’m completely out of my element in this world, I think it would be best for me to be on stand-by. Unless, any of you have anything you want me to do.” Pyre asked the crowd of ponies for instructions, or for some kind of suggestion.

“You should probably stay with Twilight & her friends, that way you can act quickly if Sombra tries anything.” Cadence instructed, to which Pyre then made a bowing gesture.

“By your command.” Pyre said with a smirk, as he & the ponies then left the castle throne room, and began their investigation and preparation for Sombra’s return.

Chapter 7: Fire Comes to the North - Pt.4

Twilight and her friends have been wondering around the city for a few hours now, asking the various crystal pony’s questions, questions they hoped would help them figure out how to help stop Sombra. But none of the ponies could help. Every pony the group talked to was in like a depressed, or a really drained state, their coats were pale and dull, and they all looked very depressed. What also alarmed the group was the fact that every one of the crystal ponies seemed to have collected amnesia, as none of them seem to remember mostly anything during Sombra’s reign. As for Pyre, he was mostly just wondering around the city, taking in everything he sees, while occasionally asking a crystal pony for any information. But they all either didn’t respond, had anything to say, or fled at the sight of him.

“Did any pony find anything?” Twilight asked her friends as they gathered in the square, in front of the castle. Although from their disappointed looks they didn’t seem to learn anything.

“I got squat.” Rainbow grumbled as she scuffed a hoof on the ground.

“I got nothing as well.” Rarity said as she looked at her hoof for a moment, before looking back at her friends

“I’m sorry Twilight none of the ponies could tell me anything.” Fluttershy said as gingerly scuffed the floor. When they all looked to Pyre when he eventually showed up, he just shrugged and shook his head.

When Pyre joined up with the four mare’s the group was startled when Pinkie Pie drop down out of nowhere, while wearing a black sweater and a pair spec goggles on her head, while looking around as if she was being spied on. Removing her ‘gear’ the pink pony quickly rushed up to Twilight, still looking around as if on the look-out for something, and whispered.

“My cover has been blown; I repeat: my cover has been blown!” The group just looked at each other as Pinkie scurried off to…somewhere, feeling very confused onto what Pinkie meant. As for Pyre, he looked the most confused out of them all, but in the end decided not comment on what just happened.

“Ah’m sorry Twilight but it seems all these crystal ponies have some sort of collected amnesia, or someth’n. None of them can remember a dag-gong thing during Sombra’s rule.” Applejack said as she joined her friends.

“So we all came up with squat then.” Pyre said as he rubbed his head.

“I’m afraid so Pyre, none of these ponies seem to remember anything.” Rarity said as she gestured to a few crystal ponies, who walked past them.

“The only thing I got out of some was something about a, library.” The moment the word ‘library’ left the farm ponies mouth, Twilight was right in Applejacks face. a big grin on her face.

“A library! Why didn’t you say anything!?”

“Ugh, I thought I just did.” Applejack said with a sheepish smile.

Not a second later & Twilight was already running towards where the library was, once Applejack told her where the crystal ponies said it was, the others shrugged their shoulders with small smiles, and started to follow their friend. As the group caught up with Twilight they really started to look around the empire, really seeing that not only that the ponies looked dulled or bland, but even the buildings looked like they lost some of their luster. After following Twilight for about five minutes the group eventually found the library, which Pyre found funny as the unicorn seemed to have a radar for anything meant to store books. Upon entering the building the group saw scores of books on large shelves, and Pyre could swore that he heard Twilight’s smile gasped in childish glee as she gazed upon the books, and the smile he was seeing on the mare’s muzzle…pretty much made him chuckle.

“This is…I just…There are. No. Words.” Twilight gushed as she looked on, nearly on the brink of crying out tears of joy.

“Settle down there Twilight, we’re here to find anything that can help us.” Pyre said as he patted the mares back, who was just gazing longingly at the rows upon rows of books.

“May I help you?” the group turned to see an elderly mare wearing a pair of glasses, and an old dress. She doesn’t seem to be as drained as the others, but her complexion is still as dull.

“We’re looking for a book.” Twilight said ad turned to face the mare.

“We have plenty of those.”

“You do. You really do!” Twilight gushed as she twirled in place as she looked at all the books.

Since Twilight was obviously to distract by the books, the group asked the mare if there was any history books, or something that described any events during Sombra’s rule, or if there was something that helped defend the empire. However the mare was unable to remember anything, she wasn’t even sure if she was the librarian or not, it would appear that Applejack was right about these ponies having some kind of amnesia. So taking their chances the group decided to look around the library themselves. An hour has gone by since the group ventured into the library, and they made their way through one section of the library to the other, and going through scores of books looking for anything that could be useful.

Fluttershy was checking books on the ground, while Rainbow was knocking books off the top shelves by skating by on one of the rolling ladders. As for Applejack she was going through the books her friends knocked down, mostly flipping through them, looking for anything referring to Sombra. Pinkie was using her springy tail to bounce to various shelves grabbing random books, so that the others could check them. Pyre was working with Rarity & Spike, going through several stacks of books the others knocked down, searching for anything useful. Meanwhile Twilight was gathering a large amounts of books, and piling them into a large pile as she scanned through them.

“Anyone else feeling this is a lost cause?” Applejack asked as she tossed away her twenty-sixth book to the side, flopping down against the others. “I’m starting to feel like we’re wasting our—"

“Yes!”’

Twilight shouted victoriously, prompting the rest of the group to move to her location, and see what she has found. The Book the unicorn was holding was a large reddish-brown book, with gold lettering and several different colored gems on the cover was laying before the group.

“History of the Crystal Empire. I just hope it has the answers we need?” Twilight said as she started to flip through the pages of the book, her friends standing by her side hoping she would find the answer.

~~~~~

After discerning that the book she found was the one they were all looking for, Twilight headed to the castle to report her findings. As Twilight was standing in the throne room with Cadence & Shining Armor, going over the old history book she found, and was telling the pair of some kind of festival that the crystal ponies did, in order to generate the love & light that was needed to keep the empire safe, the royal pair then decided on what the group should do. With this festival the only viable option currently on the table, the married pair told Twilight to go ahead and get things set up, while they try to keep the barrier up until then. Once Twilight has told the others what the plan was, everyone was floored about the idea.

When they were all getting things set up, Pyre was mostly keeping a look out for King Sombra, but as he was doing that for some reason the girls just broke out into a musical number, with background music popping in out of nowhere. It sort of reminded Pyre of the musical numbers that happened in the Phineas & Ferb show, and just like those musical numbers the activities the girls were doing, seemed to go by in mere seconds. There was even some points of the song where Pyre felt the need to chime in, despite not knowing the lyrics, or even what the song was about. And when the whole preparations for setting up the festival was done; Pyre was just bewildered by the whole experience.

“Seriously how can you guys just break into song like that, and turn hours of work…into a small chore down in fifteen minutes?” Pyre asked as he tried to wrap his head around the musical number.

“Tis the power of musical numbers!” Pinkie exclaimed as she bounced around in place. Pyre just shook his head, as he sighed in exhaustion.

“…I’ll just take your word for it Pinkie.”

“Well now that everything is set up, let’s spread the word.” Rainbow Dash said but it didn’t seem that her idea was needed, as the crystal ponies were already flooding in.

While the ponies were starting to flood into the fair, Twilight and the royal couple made an announcement that the fair was now in full swing. And at Twilight’s announcement the ponies started to mingle, and surprisingly, the ponies were actually starting to look more lively! Even their coats were gaining back their crystal luster, before fading back into more brightly colored coats. Pyre was actually surprised to see the ponies get their color back, and was even happy that none of the ponies were gawking at him, or making rude comments. In fact many ponies were walking up to him when they see him, and started to ask questions, like who or what he was.

“Well so far things seem to be going fairly well.” Pyre said as he stood next to Applejack, taking small bites out of a corn on a cob.

“Let’s just hope things stay this way.” Applejack said to the human. Even now she was still a little weary of the human, and yet she doesn’t know why.

“Something wrong Applejack, you seemed to have blanked out for a bit.” Pyre asked as he looked at the mare.

“It’s nothing.” Applejack lied, her muzzle scrunching up a bit. Pyre didn’t push the issue and decided to leave the farmer.

Things were going pretty smoothly with the fair so far, the girls have been running around and ensuring that the ponies were kept happy, and everything ran smoothly. As for Pyre he just wandered around, even passing by Twilight a while ago and she seemed to be finishing up some kind of, makeshift idol or something. It looked like she was making a paper mâché flag post. While wondering around the fair, checking up the rest of the girls, everyone seemed to be having fun. Pinkie was even dressed up like one of those old timey jesters, while Rarity was at a craft’s booth making pretty much anything, and Fluttershy was working some the crystal sheep and other animal petting zoos. Pyre haven’t seen much of Rainbow Dash, or for that matter Spike, it’s like those two up and vanished. But their probably wondering around like he was, making sure everything was going alright.

“Mommy, what kind of pony is that?” Pyre turned to see a little filly and her brother, standing beside their mother, as she pointed at me.

“Sweetie it’s not polite to stare.” The mare said to her foal before looking up at Pyre. “I’m so sorry sir, we’ve never seen any pony like you before, and my foals were just curious.”

“Its fine ma’am, curiosity is great for kids.” Pyre said as he smiled and waved at the trio, making the foals giggle. “Unfortunately I’m a little busy at the moment, but please continue to enjoy the fair.”

The family waved Pyre goodbye as they went off to enjoy the fair. As for the human he continued his rounds and making sure these ponies remained happy, while also interacting with more ponies that were just as curious as to what I was. But most importantly he was always keeping an eye out at the barrier, if it started to waver, that probably means that Sombra is attacking & trying to get in.

As the festival continues on, and Twilight & her friends continue to make rounds around the festival, ensuring the crystal ponies are kept happy. Pyre was making his way towards where he left Scorch at the border, but as he was halfway to his destination, something was caught on the edge of his right eye. The sight of Erosa, signaling him to keep moving. When the human reached his titan, Erosa revealed herself, and leaned up against Scorch’s right leg.

“So, did the plan work?” the scout leader asked.

“E’yup.” Pyre said as he stood side-by-side with Erosa, looking out into the tundra. “I’m now employed by the princess of Love. And I gotta say, she looks like a candy barbie toy.”

“A what?” Erosa asked as she looked at the human.

“Human thing. Just forget about it.” Pyre said with small chuckle, and waving a hand, causing the scout leader to quirk a brow and shrugging his shoulder.

“Anyway, has the Queen given me any specific details of my infiltration?” Erosa nodded.

“She wants you to infiltrate the ponies inner circle, and wither try to lower their defenses from the inside, or try to learn anything that can help the changelings to weaken them.” Erosa said as she looked out into the Tundra as well.

“The others and I will head back to the Hive, so you’ll be on your own.”

“Will I stay in contact with the Hive, or will I be cut off?” Pyre asked as he looked at the curvy changeling mare, who reached into a small satchel on her waist, and pulling out what looks like a small stone beetle.

“This will allow you to get in touch with me.” Erosa said as she hands the beetle to the human, and leaning in to give him a small kiss. But she was stopped by Pyre, who placed a finger on her lips, while giving a small smirk.

“No kissing unless we have a first date.” He said jokeningly, which Erosa only smiled back.

“Very well then.” Ersoa chortled as she walked off, tail sliding across Pyre’s right thigh. “See you later.”

As Erosa leaves the empire, Pyre tucked the beetle into his jean pocket, and looked up to Scorch. Patting his titan on the leg, Pyre headed back to the Empire, but just as he took five steps…the shield around the empire began to sputter. And the deep rumbling groans of Sombra echoed through the tundra. Quickly running over to Scorch, the titan stirred to life, and grabbed his piolet and placing him into the cockpit. Once Pyre was inside, Scorch readied himself for a fight by cracking his metal knuckles, before pulling out his Thermite Launcher.

“Alright Sombra…I’m ready for you this time.”

Chapter 8: Fire Comes to the North - Pt.5

Things at the festival were going pretty well, that is until the shield surrounding the empire started to glitch. Twilight’s friends have been trying to ensure that things keep going on, but they couldn’t help but worry, Cadence was in pretty bad shape when they first saw her. It’s hard to tell how much longer she can keep the barrier up. but it also didn’t help that Twilight & her friends learned that, in order to keep the empire truly safe, they need a relic called the Crystal Heart. And it also didn’t help when the barrier went down for a bit, but quickly went back up a moment later. Thankfully, Pyre & Scorch were able to knock Sombra back out into the tundra, before he could even slip by and enter the empire.

So now while Twilight’s friends try to keep the crystal ponies in a good mood, so that they can power the heart, the unicorn herself began searching the entire castle for the heart. With the help of her trusted number one assistant Spike.

“Twilight we searched almost half the entire castle, but I don’t think we’re anywhere close to even finding the heart.” Spike said as followed Twilight to the next room.

“We have no choice Spike.” Twilight said as she used her magic to levitate all objects around the room, before placing them back.

“We have no idea where Sombra could’ve hid the Crystal Heart, so we’ll just have to search every room if we have to.”

After checking the room, Twilight & Spike meandered around the fourth floor of the castle, trying to think of where Sombra could’ve hid the heart. But just as Twilight passed by the throne room, she looked back into the room, and up at the throne’s head crystal. And remembered what Celestia told her before coming to the empire.

“I got it!” Twilight said as she walked into the room, Spike following behind.

“What!? Did you find where the heart is?”

“No, because…this isn’t Sombra’s castle.” Spike looked confused as he followed his guardian.

“But isn’t this where he lived when he was in power?”

“Yes. But the castle didn’t look like this.”

Twilight then struggled, as she tried to channel dark magic through her horn. As it pulsed with a black aura & sparks, and purple smoke started to seep through her closed eyes. She looked like she was in pain as she tried to use the dark forces. But the unicorn persisted through, and managed to fire a beam of dark magic at the crystal head piece, where a slow-moving wave of shadow stretched across the rooms floor. Before revealing a secret passage that lead deep into the castles foundation. Now that the path way was clear, Twilight lit her horn to create a small ball of light, and ventured down into the darken depths, where she hoped to find the Crystal Heart.

~~~~~

Scorch paced back and forth on the edge of the empires boarders, staring down Sombra, who was on the other side of the barrier. Glaring down at the titan, snarling as he waits for the right opportunity. As for Pyre himself, he was starting think he may have bitten off more than he can chew, after all, Sombra’s smoke-based body was surrounding the entire boarder of the empire. And even with what the ponies have told him, he still knows very little about what the old emperor was truly capable of.

“Why do you resist me creature?” Sombra said, his voice gravely and guttural, as his eyes continue to track the titan.

“Well for one thing, I’m getting paid for this job.” Pyre said over the mic, which caused the old king to quirk a brow.

“Paid?” Sombra said, before realization dawned on him. “AH! I see, you’re a mercenary. Rare for ponies to hire some creature like you’re kind, I’m actually surprised by this.” Then the old tyrant lowered his head, whereas the titan stopped his pacing, and walked right up to Sombra. Both mere inches away from the barrier, and staring down each other.

“Tell me, creature, what are my slaves offering you for your service?” Sombra asked. Which only got a fireball fired at his face, causing him to real back, and roar in pain in anger.

“Sorry Sombra, but…you can’t make me double-cross my clients.” Sombra snarled as he bared his fangs, his horn igniting with dark power.

“You will suffer for your insolence!”

But just as Sombra said those words, a loud blaring noise like a car alarm was wailing. Sombra then looked up to the castle, and apparently he was not pleased, as he growled and flared his horn with dark magic. A moment later the barrier started to really start to ebb, it looked like it was about to go down any minute. Preparing for a possible fight, the titan readied his weapon, and just in the nick of time, cause as soon as the shield finally went down Sombra charged with all his might right into the titan.

But as the tyrant kings smoke body enveloped the titan, Scorch was in prime condition to fire off at least two shots into Sombra’s body, before the old king bellowed out in pain & furry and tossed the titan a good ten yards. Right into the empire, and crashing right into a few buildings. The crystal ponies screamed & shouted as they saw the titan crash into their buildings, and seeing Sombra looming over the empire as he tries to snuff out the fire in his body.

“Man this is bad.” Pyre said to himself as Scorch got up, and fired another canister and fireball nearly simultaneously, causing Sombra to try and avoid the projectiles.

“This guy hits pretty hard. If I take to many hits, Scorch is scrap metal…and I’ll have to fight him myself. And I doubt my assault rifle will do much.” But just as Sombra was about to charge into the Empire, and before Scorch could continue firing, a voice cried out over the main square around the castle.

“HEY, EVERYPONY!” everyone in the crowed of ponies, Sombra, & Pyre looked up to where the voice came from. It was Spike, and he was holding something that was faintly glowing. “I GOT THE CRYSTAL HEART!”

“NO!” Sombra shouted, getting Pyre’s attention. “THAT’S MINE!” Sombra dove into the ground, turning into a shadow that was racing against the ground, creating small black crystal spikes in his wake.

But before he got too far, Scorched dashed in the path he was going in, and slammed his hand down to send out a firewall right into the shadow. Forcing Sombra back out into the open, and again for the umpteenth time, roaring in pain as fire just burned into his shadow mass. But this time, his body was reverted to its normal form. His body was now a tall unicorn stallion, with coat grey as steel with metal armor covering his body, a flowing red cape fluttering behind him as his body still had embers. All the while glaring up at the metal giant, baring his sharpen fangs and his curved red horn glowing with energy.

“I’ve had just enough you creature, and your fire spells!!!!” Sombra bellowed as shadows start to swirl around his body, and jagged crystals start to form from the darkness.

“I will deal with you first, then I will devour the Crystal Heart to fully restore myself, and fully take over the north!” Scorched put his thermite launcher away, before cracking his knuckles, as sparks of fire puffed from them.

“Do your worst Sombra, I’m not going to let you pass. Unless it’s over my dead body.” Pyre said as Scorch separated his hands, and two fireballs were created in the palms. While Sombra formed more shadows around him, and more crystals.

“That is the general idea!”

The crystals were fired like a machine gun spread from the shadows, all of them were flying towards the titan, who raised his right hand to create the thermal shield. Stopping most of the small crystal spikes, but not all of them, but the ones that did make it through didn’t do much to Scorch overall. However they were merely distractions as two waves of shadow raced across the ground, and once they were on Scorches sides, two massive crystal spires shot forward, striking the titan on both sides dealing a lot of damage.

Pyre grunted as the titan was shaken pretty roughly, but countered by swinging Scorches arms, shattering the spires before making a mad dash to Sombra. Who created a pillar of dark crystal beneath him, and shot him up into the air, before jumping backwards and blast the pillar with magic…causing it to tumble down on top of Scorch. But the titan managed to catch the pillar before it crushed him. tossing the pillar up a bit, the titan grappled the pillar like a giant pool, and swung it at Sombra with actually surprising speed, smacking the stallion the side. Sombra grunted, and before he was sent flying he shifted into a shadowy form, and slithered down the pillar until he was face-to-face with Scorch’s hatch. And started to unleash a barrage of crystal spikes from his horns magic.

While the first spike barrage was nothing much, this one was far more damaging, quickly depleting Scorches shields, and tearing into the titans own health pool. Scorch then raised a hand, and started to spray a continuous stream of fire from the hand, causing Sombra to stop his assault to form a magic shield. And now that Sombra was done attacking, Scorch opened his hatch while also stopping his fire spray, causing Sombra to drop his shield, allowing Pyre to emerge and deliver a punch to the kings face, sending him flying a good few feet until he crashed into the ground, and stumble a few more feet. Sombra managed to stop his tumble and get to his hooves, and when he looked up, Pyre was leaning over the hatch, his R-201 Carbine in his hand slung over his shoulder, and a smug smile on his face.

The two just stared at each, carefully thinking about their next move. Throughout the whole fight, the crystal ponies were all just hiding behind buildings, but were glued to the spectacle of the fight. Never have they’ve seen any pony, or creature, fight Sombra with equal measure of brutality & prowess. But before the fight could continue, both Sombra & Pyre looked down and watch the street turn a glowing neon blue.

“What the?” Pyre said as he turned to back to the castle, and see something generate a lot of light.

“NO! THIS CANNOT BE!”

Sombra was about to charge towards the castle, but after taking his fifth step, he was blasted by the light from the castle. Of all the cries of pain that Sombra gave when he was on fire, child screams compared to the banshee wail he’s letting loose as his body was bathed in the light, cracking with veins of energy…before exploding like a water balloon…and his body being scattered to the winds. As for Pyre he was trying not to go blind by covering his eyes, but after a few seconds the light started to fade away, allowing the young man to remove his arm to see that everything was so…different now. The city looked brighter, and more cleaner. The dark sky was now gorgeous with an aurora taking over, and the crystal ponies, they all looked so shiny and were parading like they won the lottery.

“Well…that was definitely…something.” Was all he said as he rubbed the back of his head. just then some of the ponies clambered over to him, praising him as they all looked up at him.

“Thank you so much!”

“You helped rid us of Sombra!” They all said so cheerfully, which actually caused the young man to blush slightly.

“Man these guys really know how to make a guy blush.” After the crystal ponies have finished their praising, Pyre was able to walk through the crowed and towards the castle, where Twilight and the others were standing.

Meanwhile, out in the tundra, in a small pile of snow, a curved red horn laid. Emitting a small red glow with purple, black & green smoke emitting from it, before the horn started to re-grow. And the head of Sombra started to form, as one eye glowed with intense anger and hatred.

“This…isn’t over…creature!”

Author's Note

and here is where the journey really begins for Pyre. will his plan of using both the changelings & ponies to get back home work, or will he be inprisoned by Chrysalis for betray, or shunned by the ponies for deceiving them?

Prologue: A Titan of Fire & Metal.

Author's Note

this is just a testing to see if you folks want to see where this goes.

Prologue: A Titan of Fire & Metal.

A lone changeling scout was wondering through the badlands. The changeling was on the prowl for love, and the closest place where he could even try and get some love energy, was the nearby city of Baltimare, there was always easy prey there to feed off of. But the only problem is while finding a pony to seduce and drain them of their love, it was so easy and it just made the love energy taste, bland. Like getting the cheapest of pony food, instead of getting the most gourmet meal at the fanciest restaurant ever. But the changeling was hungry, and after the queens failed attempt to take control of Canterlot during the wedding a few weeks ago, the changelings were getting more restless, and needed to find some suitable prey.

Crossing into the forest that surrounds the badlands, and the Hive, the scout made his way through the dense forest to his desired destination. While walking, and flying partially, the scout started to go over the list of ponies he’s already, seduced. He could track down this one mare, she was easy to find as she either gets drunk at a local bar, or is passed out in her apartment. Or, if he really wanted to spice things up, he could track down this one young stallion…when one is a starving changeling, you need verity in your intake of love energy. But was he really in the mood to change into a mare, and try to swindle a young stallion into getting into a proper mood, and eat his love?

Maybe.

While currently flying through a large clearing within the forest, the changeling felt this deep rumble go through his body. Stopping in mid-flight the scout looked around to see what caused the rumbling, only to have the maw of a giant beast! Quickly flying backwards, the changeling saw that his attacker was a big Ursa Minor! It wasn’t a really big Ursa Minor, judging by its size its actually fairly small, maybe it was still a small cub. But that didn’t matter right now, this beast was trying to eat the scout, and he wasn’t going to let that happen.

The scout flew as fast as he could, even going above the tree line. However the Ursa Minor continued to chase after the changeling, even knocking trees down to try and strike the changeling down. And it came close a few times in doing so. It was only after the Ursa managed to vault itself into the air, by the use of the biggest tree the pair crossed paths with, did the beast get enough air time to loom over the changeling, and with one mighty swing struck the changeling! The scout shouted in pain as he felt his carapace crack from the strike, felt his spine & wings feel like they were just crushed by a boulder, and when he came crashing into the ground he nearly felt his carapace & bones break from the impact.

Grunting and crying in pain, the changeling tried to drag himself to, somewhere that he could hide from the beast. But the heavy & loud thud of the beast landing caused the scout to panic even more, and frantically now tried to pull himself closer to a downed tree, where he might be able to hide in just enough time to contact the hive. And just as he was about to reach the fallen log, a crushing weight slammed onto his legs, literally breaking his legs and causing him to shout out in pain. As the changeling squirmed in pain, trying desperately to pry himself from the giant paw, the Ursa Minor slowly lowered its giant head to the changeling. Maw opening to reveal rows of sharp teeth made their way towards the bipedal shapeshifter, ready to devour the poor damaged changeling.

But just as the large beast was about to chomp down on the changeling, a searing flaming ball of fire came flying through the air, and striking the Ursa Minor right in its face. causing the beast to rear back, paw at its face, as it burned. The changeling was so confused as to what was happening, that he didn’t even noticed the ground rumbling beneath him. But when he saw something huge & bulky tackle the beast, his eyes widen with both awe, and fear.

Song: Skillet – Indestructible.

The thing was bipedal in nature, and was obviously heavily armored, so armored the changeling couldn’t see skin, fur or anything that looked like living flesh. The armored giant then started to punch the Ursa Minor, striking the face and chest of the beast, but the large carnivore was not going to be pushed around. So through the burned eyes, the beast swung wildly getting in several good solid blows to the giant, even knocking it to the floor and pinning it with both its paws. But the giant quickly kicked the beast in the stomach, causing it to lose focus and loosen its grip, just enough for the armored giant to thrust its left hand forward…and create a flaming shield which started to burn the Ursa Minors face!

The beast recoiled back in pain, but the armored giant continued to press the flaming shield into the Ursa, burning more & more of its head away. Then as the Ursa was hobbling away, its face now fully disfigured, and was nothing more than charred flesh and burned fur, the giant then started to repeatably punch the poor beast. Armored fist slugging the beast left, right, left, right, before raising both hands into the air where both conjured orbs of fire. And clutching them both before slamming both fist onto the Ursa’s head, crushing it & its neck, and causing the ground to quake. As a deep moaning sound emanated from the giant. While a geyser of fire erupts from the point of impact with the ground, and flames to spread through the edge of the clearing.

The changeling just laid there, totally forgetting the pain his entire body, as he stares at the giant. As it squats there, the flames spreading behind it as it slowly turns towards him, small little glowing blue eyes trained on him. then the changeling saw the giants entire head open up like a giant mouth, where a smaller bipedal creature stood up, and hopped out and landed a few feet from the giant. But just as the creature made its way over to the downed scout, the changeling finally succumbed to his injuries, and the loss of his adrenalin, and quickly passed out. But not before hearing a voice speak.

“Not exactly a damsel in distress…but a rescue is a rescue.”

~~Sometime Later~~

The changeling awoke with a start, but immediately fell back down to the ground. As pain raptured his entire body, he couldn’t even curl his pinky finger. The scout then looked around slowly of current location. He was still in the clearing, covered by a…a fur pelt…of dulled shimmering blue fur. Now while changelings weren’t appalled of eating meat, but the idea of wearing or being covered in the skin of a once living thing, was very un-comfortable. Turning away from the pelt covering his body, the changeling saw a small camp fire made…with the armored giant crouched right across from him, unmoving.

Aside from the giant, the scout saw the burnt remains of the Ursa, and what little of clearing that was burned away. And that’s where the scout saw the smaller biped, covered in a strange set of armor, and seemed to be carving the charred flesh from the dead Ursa.

“Funny.” The creature said as he stood up, and turned to walk towards the camp fire. “Thing taste like a really good slab of beef. A little burnt though, but overall, not bad.” The creature said as he chewed on a strip of meat. But that’s when the creature noticed that the scout was awake.

“Well look who finally woke up.” the creature said before taking a seat on a piece of log. “How you feeling there buddy?”

“…like crap.” The scout said reluctantly as he continued to examine the creature before him.

“That’s to be expected after being attacked by a giant space bear.” The creature said as he chewed and swallowed the piece of meat in his mouth. “Care for a piece?” the creature asked as he held out a strip of meat.

“No thanks.” The scout said. “…how long have I’ve been out?” the changeling asked as he managed to sit up, but barely as he still felt pain.

“About three hours, maybe four. Lost count when the sun started to set.” The creature said before tearing another bite from the piece of meat in his hand. “By the way, names Pyre.”

“You got a name there buggy?” Pyre asked.

“…My name is Chiton.” The scout said before looking up to the giant. “Does your, friend, have a name?”

“Oh him.” Pyre said as he pointed a thumb at the giant, which Chiton nodded. “His name is Scorch…for obvious reasons.” Pyre chortled as he gestured to the damage the giant caused in the clearing, and to the dead body of the Ursa Minor.

“You seem oddly calm and boisterous, for some creature who just tangled with a large beast.” Chiton chastised.

“Eh, I’ve kind of got used to it over the past few days.” Pyre shrugged. “Also my dad & uncle took me out hunting a lot, so it wasn’t that hard. But it was the first time that I killed something with a titan.” Pyre said as he finished chewing the meat and proceeded to swallow it.

“Now how about you go back to sleep. I’ve given you first aide, but you need to rest up more to start fully recover.” Pyre advised to the changeling.

“Kind of hard to do that when every part of me aches in pain, and I’m starving.” Chiton grumbled.

“Can’t do much about the pain, but I did offer you some of my meat.” Pyre said.

“It’s not that I don’t want to eat your meat, it’s just…my kind…eat a special type of food.” Chiton said in a small voice, not sure how Pyre would take the news. While he is somewhat trusting this, creature, the changeling wasn’t a hundred percent sure he wasn’t going to act like other races.

“What kind of food?”

“…” Chiton didn’t say anything, trying to figure out how to even handle this, situation. But one thing was for certain, this creature does seemed eager to provide help. And if he was willing…“My people feed on…love.”

“…love?” Pyre asked. “As in sappy feely love, or deep romantic love?”

“Something along both lines.” Chiton said before delving into how changelings, siphon, love from some creature as a form of tangible energy. As Chiton explained how his kind eats love, and how they get their victim in the right situation, Pyre seemed to have a thoughtful expression on his face.

“So…you need to feel someone actually have love, in order to feed on it?”

“That’s basically the jest of it yeah.” Pyre then leaned back a bit before speaking.

“Well…I guess you’ll just have to go hungry, cause unless you can transform into a hot chick, you’ll just have to grit your teeth and try to sleep.” Pyre said before stretching out his body, and stepping off his log, before laying on the ground. “I think I’ll take a nap as well.”

“Wait.” Chiton said as he managed to sit up straighter, while Pyre looks over to the injured scout. “I think I still have enough power to do something about my, predicament.”

Before Pyre could question what the scout meant, Chiton used what little energy he has left to take the shape of an earth pony mare. This seemed to catch the creature off guard, but Pyre seemed to have adapted to the sudden change pretty well. In fact, the way that Pyre was looking Chiton over, when he removed the pelt, the creature seemed to like the shapely curved mare’s form. If Chiton was honest, he was starting to feel a little, unnerved that a male creature was looking at him with such, craving in his eyes. But, the wave of love energy he was sensing was really strong.

“Well.” Chiton said, his voice now silken and smooth, as he shyly covered his new, private parts while blushing. “Will this body help you get, invigorated, to help me?” Pyre just smirks.

“It’s a start.” Pyre said as he gets to his feet, and makes his way over to Chiton. “I’ll warn you right now…” Pyre said as he kneels before Chiton, who shuttering from the waves of lustful love from the creature.

“I can be pretty rough.”

Chapter 1: Introduction to the Hive

A very, very, VERY satisfied, healed, and yet horribly blushing Chiton, was cradled carefully in the hands of the lumbering titan Scorch. It was now next day after Chiton was rescued from his run in with the Ursa Minor, and after the rather, invigorating late afternoon & night, the changeling was able to absorb more than enough love energy from his new human friend, to be able to heal himself nearly completely while still being able to quench his hunger. And strangely enough, the human name Pyre seemed un-affected by the side effect of being drained of his love, sure he felt woozy and even tired, but after ten minutes from each drain he seemed to bounce back full of vigor. And ready to, apply treatment.

“Hey Chiton, how much further until we reach this Hive?” Pyre asked as the hatch to Scorch’s cockpit was left open, and the human was still munching away on some Ursa meat.

“Just another hour or so if we keep at this pace.”

Chiton said, sounding a little, embarrassed would be the right word, at what happened last night. Even though he was physically a mare during his treatment, he was still him. so it was still weird, which was the case whenever he was resorted to be the mare for a stallion, just to get some love energy.

The duo and the titan continued on their march through the forest, heading towards Chiton’s Hive. Now while the changeling appreciated the humans aide in his recovery, and helping him return home, as his wings & legs were still in rough condition, so he couldn’t travel on his own. Chiton was still unsure how the Hive, especially the Queen, would react to the human. Unlike himself who was saved by the human, and was able to gauge the human’s personality & traits from a different perspective, the Hive & the Queen might not give Pyre the chance. And while Chiton was compelled to try and help the human, he was certain that the Queen would be surely reprimand him. if not worst for, betraying, the Hive.

“So Chiton I got a question?” Pyre asked as he finished the last of his Ursa meat.

“If it’s about what happened last night, and what we…did….” Chiton said, still a little embarrassed about what happened.

“…that wasn’t my question. Plus, I doubt I could knock up anything in this world.” Pyre said. “My question was going to be, what’s your Hive like? Like is it something like a bee hive, or something else?”

Chiton then started to explain how the Hive worked. From the drones that did most of the manual labor around the Hive, from cultivating what little food changelings do eat aside from love, and maintaining the maintenance of the Hive to ensure it stays strong. Drones also work in small shops, like the ones ponies deal in, by providing basic necessities that a changeling needs like clothing, some forms of entertainment like books or games. Then there are the Soldiers who are guard the hive in, and outside the Hive, and are the first ones on the front lines of battle. Then there are the changelings that Chiton is part of, the Scouts. These changelings are the ones that leave the Hive the most of all changelings, providing recon and intelligence when they return to the Hive, they also go out to gather love energy and bring it to the Hive to keep it fed.

Then there is the leader of the changelings, the Queen herself. She is able to communicate with multiple changelings telepathically, organizing various tasks with various groups of changelings all at once. And she is the one that keeps watch over the Hatchery, where all the changeling eggs were laid, while also being the one to nourish any newly born nymphs until their a few years old, where the parents of the nymphs gathers them to raise them. the Queen is also the only one that can give birth to a new Queen class changeling, but this is a VERY rare event that any changeling Queen will do. Where it only happens in the last few decades of the Queens life span, where she raises her child and teaches the new Queen how to rule effectively. But the greatest task for the Queen, is to locate ample sources of love energy for the Hive, and stage various tasks or operations to gather the energy, and bring it to the Hive.

“Question there Chiton.” Pyre said after Chiton had finished explaining the last bit of the Queens role. “Has there ever been a King changeling, or is just Princess to Queen?”

“I’ve heard of one other changeling Hive that was ruled by a King, but was shortly brought down by an enemy force.” Chiton said. “And as for our Hive, there’s only been Queens.”

“And how is your current Queen?”

“She’s not exactly in the most, positive, of moods. Especially right now.” Chiton said as he laid in the titans hands, feeling the gentle rumblings of each step taken.

“How so?”

“Let’s just say that her latest major operation…didn’t go so well.” Chiton grumbled as he remembers the failed attempt of the biggest plot that the he had taken part of.

“So is the Hive taking a break from this epic fail.” Pyre asked bluntly.

“You can say that.” Chiton simply replied back. “At the moment the Hive is trying to lie low, and marshal are forces. While the Queen comes up with another plan.”

“Don’t suppose you’re Queen is against in hiring a mercenary?”

“Hired?” Chiton questioned as he turned to look at the human, riding comfortably in the cockpit, legs crossed and hanging out. “You’re willing to work for people that harvest love from others, and try to take over other kingdoms?” Chiton questioned.

“Well I got nowhere to go, have no idea where I am, also I’ve got nothing better to do so why not. Also I’d get a place to stay.” Pyre simply stated with a very laid-back casual tone. “So? Think your Queen would hire someone like me?”

“…perhaps. However our Queen isn’t fond of outsiders.” Chiton proclaims. “If you wish to be hired by our Queen, you will need to make a strong case of your usefulness.” Chiton then looked over the lounging human, and the titan that was carrying him like an injured bird.

“Although I think she will be most intrigued with you, & Scorch.” Chiton chortled as he patted the giants hands.

The pair continued their march through woods, and eventually exited, and came upon a wide expanse of deserted wasteland. The land was barren in nature, hardly any living plants could be seen, and as for any animals none could be seen. The marry band stepped off of the grassy hill, and started to walk down into the rocky landscape, dust and bits of sand being kicked up with each step Scorch takes. And as they walked the pair & titan could see the jutting spire of the changeling Hive. Tall as any mountain, but dreadful in appearance as its jagged appearance, and dark coloring in the light of the evening sun, was honestly quite a frightful sight.

“Quite the sight isn’t it.” Chiton said as he looked upon the Hive.

“In a way.” Pyre said before sitting up straight. “And it looks like we got company.” Pyre said as he pointed at the small squad of flying figures.

“That would be one of the patrols.” Chiton then stood, or at least sat up, just as the squad of fifteen armored changelings landed. Brandishing spears, obsidian swords, one even wielded a great big mace.

“Drop the changeling creature, or you’ll feel the weight of my mace!” the commanding officer of the squad said.

“Stand down, these two are no threat.” Chiton said quickly, before either the squad swarmed, or Pyre & Scorch burn them alive. “In fact they saved me from a Ursa Minor, and healed my wounds.” The other changelings seemed, surprised by Chiton’s words.

“These…creatures…helped a changeling?” one of the spear wielders asked, voice shocked as he looked at Chiton. Who nodded his head.

“And he wishes to see the Queen, and is willing to offer his services to the Hive, as a mercenary.”

Chiton said to the squad. The changelings looked at each other with bewildered expressions, for as long as they’ve known, no other creature not even other changelings from a different Hive bothers to aid them. the Commander of the squad took a step back, and faced the Hive and began transmitting his thoughts to the Queen, while the group waited for the Queens response. A moment of silence afterwards the Commander turned to face Chiton & Pyre.

“Her majesty wishes to see you.”

The group then made their way to the Hive, the squad hovering around the titan as it still carries Chiton. Twenty so minutes of walking from the edge of the wasteland to the Hive, the group enters in through a massive doorway, where two female changelings hauled Chiton onto a stretcher, and flew off with him while Pyre hopped out of his Titan and followed the squad. Scorch following in close behind. before the human and his titan vanished through another hallway, Chiton looked down at them with a worried look, with the way the Queen’s mood has been as of late, Pyre is going to need a lot of luck in order to persuade her to hire him. Let alone make it out of the Hive alive if he angers her.

Through the winding hallways that the Commander & his squad have been traversing, Pyre has been scanning the large halls, chambers and everything else about the Hive. It looked like what one might expect from an ant or termite mounds, but with stalls, shops and homes built in specific area that look like normal streets. There were also glowing moss and what look like, small butterfly cocoons, scattered about lighting the otherwise darken halls & chambers. And while the group continued to climb to the higher section of the spire, many of the Drone & Soldier changelings looked upon the human with curiosity, and the titan with awe as its stomps past them. soon enough the group came upon a long straight hallway, lined with green-fire torches, and more heavily armored Soldier changelings. All keeping a watchful eye on the human & titan.

The group then stood just in front of a pair of large black stone doors, decorated with pieces of jade and emerald pieces. Pyre looked at the Commander, who was standing stiffly still, before he loosen up and opened the door. Slipping through the small crack of the massive stone doors, the entire group entered into a cavernous chamber, where a large stone throne sat at the end surrounded by more torches. And as they all closed in on the throne, Pyre got a good look at who he summarized was, the Queen.

For one thing, she was a big girl, if she stood up straight she probably be around 7ft tall, if not a bit taller. Her body was also covered in a carapace like Chiton, and the squad, but her chest looked more smoother, less…shell-like. Her hair & tail were a turquoise blue color, and her eyes were a striking vibrant emerald green color. Sitting beside her throne was a mace, which was bigger & way more menacing looking than the one the Commander was lugging around. And for her outfit…it was basically a black corset with a chest plate, forearm bands, greave & boots, and waist plates with a cloth covering her crotch area. All in all from Pyre’s point of view, she looked dangerous, evil, and yet cunning, intelligent & strangely exotically erotic. Pyre’s did always had a strange taste in women.

The Queen then stood up to her full height, and indeed measured to be around 6ft in height. She then started to walk down the small steps, each of which her hips slightly swayed, yet she held a commanding expression on her face. when she reached the bottom of the steps, the Commander and his squad stood to the side to allow her to walk up to Pyre, who was just standing still and keeping eye contact with the Queen, while she began to circle around the human. She then stood in front of the human, made one glance up towards Scorch, then looked back down at Pyre, who was a foot & half shorter than she was.

“So…” the Queen uttered in a distorted, yet oddly alluring voice.

“This is the creature that rescued a changeling, from an Ursa Minor, and provided medical aid to said changeling…and willingly brought him home, and express in being a mercenary for, us?” She asked in a questioning tone, as if trying to gauge wither or not to believe what she has been told.

“Yes my Queen, that is what the Scout known as, Chiton, said when we meet the creature at the boarder.” The Commander said. The Queen then bent down slightly to at least be eye-level with Pyre, and giving the human a good look down her chest plate to see the top of her breasts.

“Who are you, where did you come from, and what are you & that thing?” the Queen asked in an authoritative tone.

“Names Pyre, he’s Scorch.” Pyre stated. “Came from another planet.” He said blatantly.

“And I’m a human, and Scorch is an Ogre-Class Titan.”

“…” the Queen just stood there; eyes narrow as she tries to read the human’s expression. “…strange.” She finally said.

“What is?” Pyre asked while quirking a brow.

“You are not even trying to mask your emotions, or trying to act differently.” The Queen said as she stood back up to her full height, while Pyre just shrugged.

“Never seen the point to try and hide what I’m feeling, or thinking. Kind’ve like to be as honest as I can, plus, you never have to guest or try and figure out what I’m thinking.” Pyre said as he stepped back, stepping onto Scorch’s hand and was lifted to the cockpit, and sat on the rim. “So…am I hired?”

The Queen turned on her hooves and made her way up the steps, her hips still having a sway to them, her tail swishing from side to side. She then made a curt sharp turn, before sitting down on her throne, throwing one leg on top of the other. And placing her left cheek in her hand, as her eyes continue to scan the human, trying to see if she can detect anything that the human might be hiding. But, there’s nothing, no sense of deceit or any kind of lie in this human. It was strange for the Queen, whenever any creature is in the presence of a changeling, there’s always something inside them that says: disgust, appalled or scared.

But this human…there was none of that.

“Here is my proposition for you, Pyre.” The Queen said as she sits up in her throne.

“Demonstrate your capabilities to me, you will fight some of my most trained warriors…” she then focused on Scorch. “And I well have a special opponent selected for you & Scorch to fight.” The Queen then developed a small grin of mischief pleasure.

“Show me your worth, and I’ll consider hiring you.” Pyre develops his own grin before leaning forward a bit, while Scorch cracked its knuckles, causing a horrible sound. All the while Pyre’s blue eyes turned a deep crimson red, that seemed to have a slight glow.

“Name the time…and the place.”

Chapter 2: Trials of the Worthy

Various changelings of both Drone & Soldier casts either sit or stand in the large coliseum, all eyes trained on the empty stadium below, as a massive crystal glowing an ominous pale blue light shines down upon them all. Amongst the crowd of changelings was Chiton, in a special chair that floats above the ground, thanks to a crystal infused with magic to keep it afloat. His legs were bandaged up, and his torso was in a cast, while the love energy he received from Pyre greatly helped with his recover, he still needed proper medical attention. But even treatment wouldn’t stop him from seeing the challenge that Pyre was to face in the Coliseum, after the Queen made the announcement across the Hive Mind.

Horns & trumpets sounded from the stone throne on the far end of the coliseum, where all changelings looked and saw their current Queen walk into view. When the Queen walked onto the flat her throne sat, she lit her horn where a small green ball flies out and into her throat, before she spoke, her voice now mountainous in volume.

“MY LOYAL SUBJECTS, TODAY, A CHALLENGER HAS COME FORTH…AND SEEKS TO ALIGN HIMSELF TO US!” the crowd of changelings cheered as they all looked at their queen, who raised a hand to silence them.

“THE FIRST OF THE TWO CHALLENGES WILL BE A MATCH BETWEEN PYRE, AND COMMANDER HUSK & HIS SQUAD!” the Commander and his squad come flying into the stadium, landing in the middle of the cavernous chamber, the light from the crystal shining down upon them.

Then on the left side of the stadium a side gate opened, where Pyre would enter. But no one saw the human. Commander Husk looked at the gate, trying to see if Pyre was just walking in slowly. The Queen was doing the same, but just before she got annoyed Pyre appeared in the stadium, slowly fading into reality, a few feet from Commander Husk. When Pyre just appeared out of nowhere, the Commander and his squad, along with every other changeling, including the Queen, they all flinched or jumped back. Before the Queen could continue to speak, or have Husk say something, Pyre spoke up.

“By the by Commander, I’ll be using non-lethal ammunition for this fight.” Pyre said as he cocked his guns. “Wouldn’t want to kill those I’m trying to be hired by.” Husk recollected himself before readying his mace.

“If there non-lethal, than this will be an easy fight.” Husk said with confidence. And while the changeling couldn’t see Pyre’s face because of his helmet, Pyre was smirking at the Commander’s words. He then turned to look up at the Queen.

“Your Commander thinks I should live ammunition, rather than my non-lethal ones. What do you say your majesty?” Pyre shouted. “If I use my live rounds, they could die.” The Queen thought about it for a moment, before giving her answer.

“YOU MAY USE YOUR LIVE ROUNDS FOR BOTH CHALLENGES, I WANT TO SEE YOU AT YOUR BEST.” Pyre just shrugs.

“Alright then.” He said before he starts replacing all of his bullets. “Can’t say I didn’t warn ya.” A moment later Pyre was now fully armed, and loaded. And Commander Husk & his squad were ready for a fight.

“COMBATENTS ARE YOU READY?” both sides nodded. “THEN…BEGIN!” the Queen shouted as she swung her right hand down to start the match.

Just as the Queen proclaimed the match to start…a horrid series of repeated hisses and banging sounds filled the stadium. And all but Commander Husk was standing, as the members of his squad all collapsed to floor, green blood gushing or spurting out from various holes in their legs, arms and around non-vital spots of their bodies. Everyone saw their armor and even their carapaces were rattled with holes. Commander Husk just stood there, dumbfounded, just utterly shocked that all Pyre did was aim his metal weapon, and downed his team in less than a minute. Leaving him alone, frozen with his mace just hanging limply in his hand. Even the Queen herself was dumbfounded. Never has she seen anyone take down a small squad of six trained soldiers in one swift motion.

“I did try to warn you.” Pyre said as he trained his weapon at Husk. “If I use live ammo…you will end up dead if I’m not careful.” The human’s voice attained an almost sinister tone, which was only enhanced by his helmet which slightly muffled and deepened his tone of voice.

“Still want to fight?”

“THAT’S ENOUGH!” the Queen proclaimed, before looking to the sider. “Take the injured to the infirmary.”

“Yes your majesty!” two guards saluted, before flying into the stadium with some Drones, and carried the fallen changelings off as carefully as they can.

“Commander Husk, you may leave the stadium, and will prepare the stadium for the next match.” The Queen said in a softer tone, to which the Commander did so, after a moment of just standing there like a statue. “Pyre you may rest up until things are set up.”

“Fine by me.” Pyre says as he holsters his weapon onto his back, and walk towards the gate to head to the waiting room.

As he left the stadium, the Queen sat in her throne, and started to think over the terms of her agreement to hire the human. From the report she’s been given, Pyre was able to best & kill a young Ursa Minor with Scorch, and seeing his skill in taking down 6 trained Soldier changelings in merely the blink of an eye. Was certainly nothing she was expecting, this was merely to entertain the idea for the human, but now seeing his skill. Should she really actually accept this human’s offer, he could be invaluable assist to the Hive.

“My Queen, we managed to round up the beast you requested.” A Soldier said as he leaned in close.

“Then ready the stadium.” The Queen said out of reflex, before going back to thinking. ‘I think I should see how this match will go, before I make my final decision. But regardless of the outcome…I can’t let the ponies have him. if they managed to get their hands on him, then any of my future plans could be hindered, if he can effortlessly take down my troops.’

After a few more minutes of waiting, Pyre finally returns to the stadium, but as he reached the half-mark towards the center, his helmet’s visor flashes blue for a split second. That’s when every changeling looked up when they saw a bright blue, magic circle of some kind appeared. Then from the circle, Scorch came falling down like a tumbling rock slide, crashing down a few feet behind Pyre.

“I hope whatever you have is a good match up, otherwise this is going to be way to easy.” Pyre said as Scorch scoops him up, and places Pyre in the cockpit, and closed the hatch. The Queen rose up from the throne and took a few steps forward before speaking.

“OPEN THE GATE!”

The gate on the right side of the stadium then slowly opened, but before it was halfway up, a giant Maulwarf came bursting out of the gate. It was just as big as Scorch, and had rough fur and a few heavily scars, and large claws were so sharp that it looked like it can cut through steel. Scorch then pulled the massive weapon from his back, and loaded a cylinder object into the weapon, and got ready for a fight.

Song: Most Wonderous Battle Music Ever: “God Mode” by Sons of Amon.

The fight was started by the maulwarf, as it dug its claw into the ground, and shoveled a huge piece of earth out of the ground. The maulwarf then chucked the large rock at Scorch, who simply side-stepped and retaliated, by firing a scorching fireball from his weapon. The maulwarf was able to duck out of the way, but it didn’t have time to dodge a second fireball, as it connected to the beast’s right shoulder. The large beast bellowed in pain as it rolled around on the dirt stone floor, trying to put the flames out. But then something smacked the beast in the face. It was some kind of dull green-grey cylinder, which started to release a lime green gas around the beast. Another fireball was shot from the titan’s weapon, but the Queen saw it fly towards the ground. However when the fireball came in contact with the smoke, it erupted into fire, completely engulfing the maulwarf’s leg and lower body!

The beast wailed in pain, and just rushed forward blindly, jaws wide open as it ran towards Scorch. The titan holstered it weapon, and threw a punch so strong it stopped the maulwarf’s charge, dazing it. The titan then started to deliver punch after punch at the beast, while it flailed about getting equal opportunity to deliver strike after strike, it’s long claws striking an invisible shield. Only appearing when it was struck. Scorch then tried to gain some distance from the beast, but the maulwarf just followed in pursuit with claws at the ready. But then Scorch out stretched its left hand, and a shield of fire erupted and buried itself into the maulwarf’s face!

“Come on big guy, you’ve gotta do better than that!” Pyre’s voice echoed from Scorch, before the titan let loose a punch to the beast’s face. Sending it rolling back a few meters.

The maulwarf then started to panic, and was now digging up rocks and dirt, vaults large clumps at Scorch. Who either tanked some hits, or skid around the vaulted lumps of earth. Scorch then dashed to a spot of the stadium, and brought out its weapon and launched another cylinder. But the maulwarf seemed to learn and ran away from it. However it seemed that is what Scorch was waiting for, as it grasped its weapon in its left hand, and slammed its right onto the ground…sending out a trail of fire towards the maulwarf! Once again the beast wailed in pain as its lower half was coated in fire, and this time it’s seemed that its legs were damaged so much, that the maulwarf collapsed to the ground.

“Alright! It’s ready!” Pyre excitably said, gaining every changelings attention, before seeing Scorch quickly holstered its weapon, raise both fist up into the air as they sparked with fire. Then with a mighty cry, Pyre shouts…

“FLAME CORE!!!!!”

Scorch then slammed both flaming fists onto the ground, creating a decent earth shake, as rocks burst from the ground, while a wave of fire races across the stadium! The wave came crashing into the downed maulwarf, coating its entire body in flames as it gave out one last series of painful bellowing, and desperate flailing as it rolled on the still burning path of scorched earth! Soon the maulwarf ceased its flailing about, going limp as the smell of very burnt flesh filled the air, it was so potent that everything changeling had to cover their muzzles. Scorch then stood back up, took a few steps back as the hatch opened, and Pyre stood up and removed his helmet, showing a twinge of sweat on his brow.

“Whoo-wee! No that is what I call, burnt road kill.” The human said jokingly before the titan turned so that Pyre was facing the Queen. “So…do I pass your test, your majesty?” Pyre asked with a smirk. The Queen then slowly rose up from her throne again, stepped forth & looked down at the human.

“You have indeed proven your skill, Pyre. Not only did you render six of my guards useless, freeze one with your display and demonstrated your, flaming brutality…” the Queen gestured to the smoking carcass on the floor.

“I have decided upon the terms of the wager…you shall be welcomed into, the Hive!” the changelings cheered as they all stood, and started to chant Pyre’s & Scorches name. As for the human, he just soaked it all in before bowing.

“Thank you, your majesty. I shall prove my worth whenever you’ve have need of me.” Pyre said as he stood back up, and gave a genuine smile, with a wink. The Queen seemed to find this amusing, and giggled as she smiled as well.

“I most certainly will Pyre. And from this point forward you may address me as, Queen Chrysalis.”

Author's Note

It looks like Pyre now has a base of operations in this weird world he finds himself in, but how long will this relationship with him & the Hive last? we'll just have to wait & see. Oh! and for anyone wondering what my Avatar's & Scorch's loadout is, here is my personal set when i play Titanfall 2.

Primary Weapon: R-201 Carbine. | Secondary Weapon: Mastiff Shotgun.
Side-Arm: Hammond P2016.
Tool: Arc Tool/Frag Grenades/Smoke Grenades.
Abilities: Cloak/Grapple/Phase Shift.

Main Weapon: T-203 Thermite Launcher.
Offensive: Firewall. | Defensive: Thermal Shield.
Utility: Incendiary Trap. | Core Ability: Flame Core.
Load Out: Turbo Engine/Wildfire Launcher/Tempered Plating.
Executions - #1: Beatdown Meltdown. #2: Funeral Pyre.