Author's Note

I'm Back Baby!
You guys are not going to believe me when I say this....But it turns out this chapter as been at 3k words for months....just collecting dust on my computer.
Here's the newest Chapter...I hope you enjoy it

"Revelations and Sacrifices"

Jacob's jaw dropped in shock, his mind unable to comprehend the weight of the revelation laid before him - the existence of the last remaining true changeling.

"True changeling?" Jacob repeated, his words laden with a mix of disbelief and an overwhelming yearning for understanding. He struggled to make sense of the confusing statements uttered by the changeling in front of him. "If you truly are the last of your kind, then what the fuck have I been killing all this time?"

Thorax's response was filled with resentment, his teeth quickly sinking into the roasted tail as he spoke. "Sick twisted perversions," he growled. "Nothing more than demons disguised in physical form."

Jacob's eyes narrowed, a realization dawning on him. "The first changeling I encountered spoke of the same thing," he interjected with bitterness in his voice.

Tears welled up in the changeling's eyes as he recounted the fate that befell his brethren. "Even if they appear alive, they are nothing but possessed corpses," he whispered. "All of the changelings perished in the attack."

Ash tilted his head curiously. "What attack?" he asked, intrigued. "Can you tell me more about it?"

The changeling looked at Ash in confusion. "Are you joking?" Thorax replied as if he had been insulted. "Everyone knows about the Changeling attack on Canterlot. How could you not know?"

"That's probably because I'm not from this world," Ash replied casually. "Would you mind giving the foreigner a quick history lesson?"

Thorax let out a heavy sigh, wiping away the tears that had gathered in his eyes. "Two years ago, Queen Chrysalis and her changeling clan launched an attack on Canterlot," Thorax began, taking a bite of the dragon tail meat before continuing. "She captured the Princess and took on her identity, while using her enchantment to feed off the love of her consort."

"After our mother defeated Celestia and captured the Element Bearers, she dropped the barrier and my siblings descended upon the city, attacking and capturing ponies," Thorax's grip on the dragon tail tightened as he spoke. "I wanted no part in the violence, so I tried to free the ponies. But they were quickly recaptured and I ended up going into hiding."

"And then something even our queen didn't anticipate happened: Princess Cadance and her consort released a massive explosion of love, knocking every changeling out of Canterlot," Thorax spoke through gritted teeth, fighting back the tears welling up in his eyes. "When I came to, I found myself back in the Badlands surrounded by my deceased brothers and sisters."

"You were able to survive, which means there is a possibility some of your siblings could have survived as well," Ash suggested, before Thorax angrily threw Jacob's dagger at him.

"They were all dead!" Thorax yelled at the human. "Ten thousand of my siblings lost their lives in that blast and not even our queen made it out alive."

"For six months, I buried my race at our main hive," Thorax said with sorrow evident in his voice. "And since then, I've been living among the ponies just trying to survive. But something changed last year."

"What kind of change?" Jacob asked the changeling.

“My physical appearance turned into what I look like now,” Thorax said with a hint of bitterness, gesturing at his demonic appearance. “And the other change? My inability to feed on love.”

“Inability?” Jacob echoed.

“Yes, I can no longer consume love,” Thorax clarified as he spat out a dragon scale. “Instead, I have been forced to eat the flesh of the dead.”

“Why not hunt for your own food?” Jacob asked.

“I would rather not take a life if I can avoid it,” Thorax replied, throwing the remaining pieces of his tail into the fire. “Killing an innocent creature leaves a bad taste in my mouth.”

“If you're not going to kill or eat me,” Jacob nodded towards the resin covering his arms and legs. “Can you at least get this stuff off of me?”

“The resin isn't meant to keep you captive,” Thorax explained, giving Jacob a sharp look. “It's meant to protect me from you.”

“How am I a threat to you?” Jacob questioned.

“I may not know exactly what kind of creature you are,” Thorax began as he added more kindling to the fire. “But I do know how ruthless you can be towards changelings like myself.”

“So, what do you plan to do with me?” Ash demanded, growing angrier. “Keep me here until I'm healed and then abandon me in this cave while you find another hiding spot?”

“Pretty much,” Thorax said nonchalantly as he pulled up his hood. “I'll release one of your friends and tell them where you are.”

“And what about the others?!” Jacob shouted, his eyes turning red.

“Who cares?” Thorax replied coldly, causing Jacob's eyes to light up with anger.

"I care!" Jacob yelled, his Mangekyou Sharingan blazing.

The ground shook as crimson chakra swirled around Jacob, forming a massive humanoid figure with four arms. The air grew heavy with the force radiating from Jacob's Susanoo, even causing the usually unflappable Changeling to pause in admiration.

Jacob's Susanoo solidified, its muscular form covered in ethereal crimson armor that glimmered menacingly in the firelight. In mere moments, it stood before Ash Williams, both protective and awe-inspiring.

With its iconic fiery mullet trailing behind its head, the complete Crimson Susanoo exuded an unwavering determination. Its flaming hair danced fiercely, reflecting the passion and ferocity of its summoner.

In place of its right hands, a colossal, jagged cleaver appeared, emitting a faint red glow. Its blade gleamed with an otherworldly sharpness, ready to cut through any obstacle in its path. This weapon was an extension of Jacob's will, representing his resolve to protect his friends and defeat his enemies.

As the complete Crimson Susanoo reached its final form, a pair of magnificent wings sprouted from its back. They unfurled with authority, their feathers engulfed in crimson flames. Before Thorax could react, Jacob's Susanoo grabbed him and lifted him off the ground.

“Listen here, bug boy” Jacob said as his Susanoo began to remove the resin from his body. “Here's the new plan: we're going to the hive, we're going to save my friends and the dragons, and you're going to help me every step of the way.”

"Why should I help you?" Thorax's voice rumbled with skepticism.

"You want your kind to stay in the grave?" Jacob countered, staring intently at the changeling.

Thorax swallowed hard, his eyes meeting Jacob's determined gaze. "I'd rather see them dead than continue seeing them like this."

"If you help me," Jacob continued, releasing his hold on the changeling. "I can introduce you to someone who can ensure your kind returns to the grave."

Thorax regarded Jacob with a mix of doubt and curiosity. After a moment of contemplation, he gave in to his curiosity, unable to resist the opportunity for freedom.

"But can this person truly accomplish such a feat?" Thorax questioned, voicing his doubts.

Jacob's smile grew wider, brimming with unwavering confidence. "She's the only one who can," he replied firmly.

With newfound determination gleaming in his eyes, Thorax spoke decisively. "Then you have yourself a deal," he conceded, understanding the gravity of their situation.

As Jacob gently lowered the changeling back to the ground, he winced in pain, evidence of their previous scuffle evident in his limping gait. But he wasted no time dwelling on his own injuries, quickly resuming his purposeful stride towards Thorax.

"Let's not waste any more time," Jacob urged, brushing past the changeling impatiently. "My time is limited."

The flame of determination burned strong within both Jacob and Thorax as they embarked on their shared mission. United by a common goal, they set off into the unknown, their destinies intertwined in a quest to rescue the captured and restore balance to their chaotic world.

Twilight awoke to find herself confined within a cell, the cool stone walls and floor giving off an eerie, damp smell. As she surveyed her surroundings, the only item in the room was a simple bucket with a thin layer of grime on its surface. Reflecting on her previous encounters with the changelings, Twilight couldn't help but find a silver lining in her current situation, even as her heart raced with fear and uncertainty.

"At least they didn't knock me out and strap me to a table this time," she said to herself.

However, her moment of respite was short-lived when she tried to stand up, only to discover that her wrists were securely bound by thick chains that dug into her skin. Twilight didn't even bother checking her horn, knowing that her magical abilities would undoubtedly be suppressed by the changelings. Suddenly, a slow tapping sound drew her attention to the entrance of the hive, where Queen Chrysalis stood menacingly. The queen's once regal appearance was marred by missing fingers and a disfigured face, revealing her sharp teeth and red gums as she sneered at Twilight.

"Did you sleep well, Princess?" Chrysalis taunted with a sickening grin.

Twilight growled in response, resisting the urge to shrink away from the queen's intimidating presence. She focused her gaze on Chrysalis' deformities and couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction at seeing the once perfect queen brought down to such a state. "Chrysalis," she hissed with venom, "How's your hand? And I see you've made some 'improvements' to your appearance."

A flicker of anger passed over the queen's features before she composed herself and returned Twilight's glare with one just as fierce. "These injuries are a result of the incompetence of the individual you associate yourself with," she seethed. "They will pay dearly."

"Well, in my opinion," Twilight smirked, unable to resist provoking the queen even in her precarious situation, "it seems like an upgrade for you."

In a burst of fury and determination, Chrysalis stormed into the room and grabbed Twilight by the neck, lifting her off the ground. With all her might, Twilight fought against Chrysalis' grip, desperately trying to break free. But Chrysalis leaned in closer with an air of sadistic satisfaction, whispering a threatening remark in Twilight's ear.

"Consider yourself lucky, Princess," Chrysalis sneered with a menacing tone. "I still have use for you."

However, as she spoke, something unexpected happened. A new scent filled the air, distracting Chrysalis from her anger and directing her focus to this unfamiliar presence.

As she breathed in the scent, a strange change came over Chrysalis. Her eyes narrowed before widening in shock, a twisted grin spreading across her face. She could sense a dark and corrupted energy emanating from Twilight - one that could only come from one source: the Necronomicon.

"You've dared to open the forbidden pages," Chrysalis hissed, causing Twilight's face to pale in fear. "You have the Necronomicon! Give it to me!"

Chrysalis tightened her grip on Twilight and shook her fiercely. "Give it to me now!"

But as she continued to demand the book, Chrysalis suddenly stopped when she noticed Twilight's face turning blue and her eyes rolling back into her head. In a fit of rage, Queen Chrysalis flung Twilight to the ground with a loud thud. The princess let out a rasping cough, struggling to breathe again. Consumed by anger, Chrysalis knelt down and grabbed Twilight's hair, pulling her head up forcefully.

Chrysalis seethed, her voice dripping with malice as she slashed her injured hand across the alicorn's cheek. "Let me make this perfectly clear: I am unable to kill you because you possess my dagger. However, that does not mean I cannot cause you immense suffering." Her razor-sharp claws dug into Twilight's flesh, causing her to cry out in pain. "So unless you want to endure endless torment, give up the Necronomicon."

Twilight's spirit could not be broken, even as Chrysalis threatened and inflicted harm upon her. With gritted teeth and a fierce glare, she summoned all of her remaining strength and defiantly spat in Chrysalis' eye. The unexpected action caught the changeling queen off guard, causing her to flinch and release her hold on Twilight. As Chrysalis wiped the spit from her eye, Twilight managed to muster a small smile - a small victory amidst all the chaos.

But Chrysalis quickly regained her composure, fueled by anger and determination. Enraged by Twilight's act of defiance, she retaliated with a forceful backhand that sent the princess' head slamming against the cold wall before she collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

For a brief moment, there was silence in the room as Twilight lay motionless on the floor, blood oozing from the fresh wound on her cheek. Chrysalis stood panting heavily, her eyes filled with both rage and a twisted sense of satisfaction. She reveled in the power she held over her captive, savoring her dominance over Twilight.

With Twilight's limp body sprawled out in front of her, Chrysalis pondered her next move. Her desire to possess the powerful Necronomicon burned intensely, its corrupted essence tempting her with promises of increased strength and domination. But her sadistic tendencies urged her to savor the moment, to take pleasure in the torment she had the power to inflict.

Leaning over Twilight's still form, Chrysalis' lips twisted into a sinister grin. The thought of causing pain and suffering to the vulnerable Alicorn sent shivers of excitement down her spine. Every drop of blood spilled would be a testament to her superiority.

But for now, Chrysalis decided to revel in her victory and let Twilight remain unconscious on the cold stone floor. The time for punishment would come soon enough, and Chrysalis couldn't wait to break the once indomitable princess. In the dark and gloomy cell, cruelty danced with darkness, and Twilight Sparkle's future held nothing but dread and agony at the hooves of Chrysalis.

As Sam and Spike were guided through the intricate maze of the changeling hive, a feeling of unease settled over them. The air was heavy with tension, and the distant sounds of chattering and fluttering wings echoed throughout the cavernous walls. Their captors showed no mercy as they shoved the two forward, their harsh voices reverberating off the cold stone.

Suddenly, without warning, Sam and Spike found themselves standing on the edge of a deep, dark pit. Bones and skeletons littered the bottom, serving as a grim reminder of those who had met their demise in this forsaken place. The pit emitted an eerie energy, and the stench of decay hung thick in the air.

Before they could react, Sam and Spike were violently shoved into the pit, their screams piercing through the darkness. The fall seemed endless until finally, with a jarring thud, they landed on a pile of bones at the bottom. Dazed and disoriented, Sam checked on Spike with urgency in her trembling voice.

"Do you still have the Idol?" she asked desperately, hoping against hope that their only chance of escape hadn't been lost.

"We have a problem," Spike's voice shook with terror. "I swallowed it."

"I'm sorry..." Sam struggled to process what she had just heard. "What did you say?"

Spike coughed and groaned in pain, clutching his stomach as he rolled over to face Sam. "I swallowed it," he repeated hoarsely.

A mixture of disbelief and despair flooded over Sam as she realized that their only hope of stopping the changelings now rested inside Spike's own body. Their situation had taken a turn for the worse, and it felt like an impossible weight was pressing down on them.

“HOW!!” Sam stood up and screamed at the dragon, her eyes blazing with anger. "How could you possibly swallow the one thing that can defeat these creatures?!"

Spike rose to his feet, shouting back defensively, "I didn't do it on purpose! It was in my mouth when they tossed us in here, and I accidentally swallowed it when we hit the ground."

Sam paced back and forth, her frustration boiling over into raw rage. The damp air in the pit seemed to grow heavier with each passing second, suffocating her with the burden of their predicament.

"Well, that's just great, Spike! Just great!" Her voice was laced with sarcasm. "So we're stuck in a pit, in the middle of a changeling hive, with an idol that can save us all... inside your stomach!"

Spike grimaced, trying to think through the pain. "We... we need to get it out," he stated the obvious.

"No kidding," Sam snapped back. She kneeled beside him and examined his stomach. "Can you... I don't know, throw it up?"

Spike shook his head miserably. "I'm not sure I can do it on command."

Sam sighed and rubbed her temples, trying to maintain her composure before an idea came to her mind.

With a determined edge to her voice, Samantha spoke up. "Spike, I think I know of a way to retrieve the Idol," she said, her words holding a sense of conviction despite her hesitation. "But you're not going to like it."

Spike's response was immediate and resolute. "Whatever it takes just..."

His sentence was left hanging in the air as Samantha made her move, catching him off guard. In one swift motion, she kicked Spike in the groin with surprising force. The sudden attack caused him to double over in excruciating pain, collapsing onto all fours.

As he struggled to catch his breath and regain control of his body, Spike couldn't help but feel a mix of shock and admiration for Samantha's actions. Amidst the groans and discomfort, he suddenly noticed something glinting among the contents that had spilled out of his stomach - the idol they had been searching for. Relief flooded through him at the sight.

Grimacing through his pain, Spike managed to lift his head and gaze at Samantha with a mixture of agony and unholy hatred.

"Was that really necessary?" he groaned in a higher pitch.

Samantha's expression was a mix of remorse and determination as she responded, her voice carrying a hint of regret. "Well, it was either going to come out the 'attic' or the 'basement'," she said with a small shrug. "And given that I used to play soccer, I was confident I could kick you hard enough to clear the 'attic'." Her eyes glimmered with mischief and determination.

Spike remained frozen, his body tense and his mind racing. He didn't respond to the human, his attention solely focused on the task at hand. After a moment, he muttered under his breath, "Found them."

Sam knelt down closer to hear the Dragon's words, her curiosity piqued. "What did you find?"

"The missing Dragons," Spike replied in horror, his voice filled with anguish as he looked down at the scattered remains beneath him. The weight of their absence and the tragic discovery of their bones pressed heavily upon him, reminding him of their once powerful presence in this world.

As Spike and Sam were lost in shock and grief, a low, feral growling caught their attention. The two quickly turned towards the source of the sound, their eyes widening in terror. A group of small changelings emerged from the shadows, their forms twisted and demonic, their eyes gleaming with malice.

The air thickened with tension as the creatures advanced menacingly towards Spike and Sam, their sharp claws clicking against the ground. Thinking quickly, Spike reached out and grabbed the ancient idol lying among the bones. He held it up high, its faded markings glowing faintly in the darkness. The sight of the idol seemed to unnerve the changelings, causing them to hiss and back away cautiously.

The demonic creatures hesitated, their guttural growls turning into low whispers of discomfort as they kept their distance from the mysterious object. Spike and Sam stood with bated breath, their hearts pounding in their chests as they waited for the next move of these dangerous beings.

A wave of relief washed over Sam and Spike as they realized the idol's power over the changelings. They exchanged a quick glance, silently acknowledging their chance to escape this dire situation. Holding the ancient artifact firmly in his hands, Spike took a cautious step backwards, motioning for Sam to follow suit. Their movements were slow and calculated as they made their retreat, all while keeping a vigilant eye on the changelings who gnashed their teeth and snarled in frustration.

Spike's eyes flashed with both fear and determination as the feral changelings closed in, their malevolent presence growing stronger with each passing moment. With their backs against the cold stone wall, Spike knew they were quickly running out of options. Desperate to buy some time, he turned to Sam with urgent words.

"Listen, I have an idea," Spike said through gritted teeth, his grip on the idol tightening. He placed a firm hand on Sam's back, his tone laced with a hint of vengeance. "But before I do anything, you should know...this is payback for betraying us at the Empire."

Sam's mouth fell open in confusion as Spike's words registered in her mind. Without warning, he shoved her towards the menacing changelings that surrounded them. Panic and fear took hold of Sam as she stumbled towards the monsters, their sharp claws and teeth glinting in the dim light.

“Spike! You Ass…” was all Sam managed to choke out before another changeling sank its teeth into her neck, ripping out a chunk of flesh.

Sam let out a bloodcurdling scream as she was dragged to the ground, the pain and darkness overwhelming her.

Spike watched with a mixture of regret and determination as his plan unfolded. Sacrificing Sam was a necessary evil, a calculated move to distract the changelings long enough for him to find an escape. She had betrayed them all, and in this desperate moment, Spike believed it was the only way to ensure his own survival.

With the changelings occupied by their brutal attack on Sam, Spike turned to survey his surroundings. He needed to find a way out of this pit and back to his friends. The walls were steep and uneven, and he could hear the clatter of loose stones beneath his feet as he scrambled up the jagged rocks. With determination fueling his every move, he climbed higher and higher, knowing that each foothold could be his last before tumbling back into the fray below.