Equestria At War - In the Shadow of the Sun

Tick...Tock.

Tick...Tock.

Tick...Tock.

Tick...Tock.

Tick...

The obnoxious roar rung through the labor camp. It was a mechanical sound made by a makeshift system, designed to cruelly blow a large klaxon to inflict maximum volume upon anyone it is directed upon. And cruelly, it was designed in such a way that most of the sound would be blown into the cells of the sleeping prisoners, and not at all into the guard's barracks. The acoustics of the castle's dungeon made the sound potent and ferocious.

Many prisoners learned to sleep in a way which allowed the pillows to block their ears without restricting breathing. Of course, if you turned in your sleep too much and the pillow stopped blocking your ears, you'd wake up to a sound that vibrated through your bones...And eroded your ear drums, little by little until you couldn't hear your own whispers.

Three got up from their bunk beds. The fourth was deceased a week ago; a changeling whose body was ignored completely by the guards. One of the three, also a changeling, came up to the corpse and gently put a hoof on its chest. He softly whimpered; and the other two did not say anything, letting him say his farewells to the childhood friend he entered the army together with.

"So long we've been planning..." The changeling whispered. "We're getting out of here. Just as I promised you...I'm...I'm so sorry. we'll meet again...Maybe later, maybe today."

The other two were crystal ponies. One sat on the bunk bed clutching the dog tags of his unit in the Crystal Empire's armed forces, while the other rubbed the Sombrist insignia tattoo on his neck. Before, both stallions would've had nothing but utmost hatred for one another. Now, they nodded to each other. Getting up, they each put a hoof on the changeling's shoulder - and so did he nod in turn. It was time. They packed what they could; their thin prisoner clothing neither protecting them from cold, nor providing much concealment for their things, forcing them to be more meticulous in how they hid what they took.

Five minutes from the horrid klaxon's sound, the cells opened. They had ten seconds to leave the cell. If they didn't, it would close; meaning they wouldn't see any food or water for at-least fifteen hours, and what little heating the cell block offered would be turned off. Neither the lazy nor lame wanted to try skipping work.

They stepped out of their cells, and were now in the middle of the cell block. They all had to walk north to the courtyard, to get their jobs from the warden's assistants. Should they fail to do so, a machine gun sat at the end of the hallway; its gunner eager to fire if he saw something he didn't like. And with the gun being chambered in .30-06, what did he have to care for when it came to collateral damage?

All the prisoners were forced out into the cold, cold courtyard - outside. The castle was massive; and sprawling. Within the center of the castle's perimeter was a very wide and open area that made it almost cynically comical how it looked as if it was already great for a prison. What history the castle had was tainted by industrial construction and machinery, and military installations. The additional buildings and guard towers had removed any sense of historical awe, and instead, instilled dread.

The prisoners formed lines; depending on what part of the block they were from, they would form a line to one of the kiosks in which the warden's assistants sat, distributing their instructions for what labor they were to perform for the day. The warden observed it all, from the command building in the Eastern section. He stood sipping his coffee, alongside two other officers - a stallion and a mare. "What's on the agenda today, junior officers?" The warden asked.

"Sir." The mare spoke. "Her Majesty's cabinet has made a request for metal components, so a larger portions of prisoners are on metalwork duty."

"Heh. Guess we'll be smelling seared fur and charred hooves all afternoon." The warden commented - enjoying the little ant farm he had going on.

The changeling and the two crystal ponies would get in the line, subtly moving their hooves. Items were passed along. Some items to prisoners about to leave to do their job, others for those getting in line. They practiced on mundane things before like passing on makeshift cigarettes and shivs. Shivs were largely ignored by guards; because what could a little piece of metal do against their armor or face masks? The guards preferred that the prisoners had the sharp weapons because they knew this would let them stab away at each other.

Of course, the prisoners had no desire to stab each other after the time they've endured here - but to avoid suspicion, they faked shankings. They could do so without needing to really cut into one another, because it's not like the security would spare any medical staff for any of the prisoners to check those injuries.

The three were assigned their work. Perfect. Their timing was right; for their job was to be at the forge and metal workshop. It sounded like the perfect place to make weapons for a riot; if not for the fact the prisoners had little in the way of protective equipment other than tattered mitts that would easily ignite - burning hooves quickly if they as much as held onto a hot iron for more than a dozen seconds. Many a prisoner was left with burn marks caused by the fabric of the mitts welding into the fur.

They were herded into the workshop along a few other prisoners. It was a decently-sized room, with a large forge and several tools. They would approach a long, long table, on which were many pieces of metal, some shaped and some put together. They all had a job, and they had to do it. They approached the table, and began to put together the components, taking wrenches and screwdrivers. They had a quota and a time-limit, as the guards checked how frequently they completed parts.

The changeling whispered to the Sombrist as the two began to move a cart of ingots across the workshop's floor. "At the signal, number 241 will pass by and slip the powder under you. Pick it up immediately, number 312 will drop the pipes to distract the guard while you do. Be fast, he won't have much time."

The Sombrist nodded. Then looked at the Loyalist, who was at the other side of the table. They were instructed to make basic metal works, things that one could make without machinery, but with much difficulty and required strength. The Loyalist would take a rubbet mallet and slam it against the bits he was to put together. But he did so in a specific rhythm. One loud strike, two quick ones, and two more loud ones.

At this noise, number 241 began to move to retrieve the materials he needed in order to continue his work...

The Sombrist blocked out all noise...He waited, waited...And heard the sound of an object softly falling under him; and then right after, loud clang of metal pipes dropping on the other side of the room.

"HEY!" Yelled a guard, while the other three guards in the room turned their attention to the sound. "The fuck are you doing throwing around the fucking materials!? You want me to fucking glue them to your hooves, dumbass!?"

"Kiss my ass, bastard!" 312 yelled defiantly, spitting whatever rotten mucus he could muster up.

"Ohoho!" The guard spun the shotgun that was slung on him so that it was on his back. "Get your ass over here right now, mutt!" He yelled, before charging 312 right into the iron wall of the room. Standing on his hind hooves, the guard took out his baton - one that was illegally reinforced with iron, and started to beat down on 312.

The Sombrist would not let this go on for long. He began to pour the powder into a cylinder, and the cylinder he would connect to another pipe.

"You can't hurt him!" The Changeling cried out, standing two meters to the Sombrist's right. "He did nothing wrong, you oppressive sons of bitches!"

"...Lively today." One of the other guards chuckled. "Thought the cold and hunger woulda made you a bit more complacent."

"If they're acting like this..." Laughed the guard beating 312. "That means they're probably dying! You've seen them before they don't get up from their beds the next morn', haha! Take this, you worthless sack of shit!" He yelled before kicking 312.

"Don't I know it." The other guard smirked, approaching the Changeling and using his horn to levitate his baton, tauntingly spinning it...

The Changeling whispered to the Sombrist. "Good luck, brother. May this be our last day in hell."

"Stay safe, brother." The Sombrist whispered back, smiling.

As the guard walked past the Sombrist, he felt something poke against the back of his head - and a soft click rang. At the sound, the Changeling instantly dropped down to the floor to dodge.

Three months ago, the prisoners made a groundbreaking discovery; a 6-gauge shotgun shell, misplaced by one of the guards. It exchanged hooves, making its way through almost each part of the castle as the prisoners swapped it to ensure it got into the right hooves. Today, the shotgun shell found its final destination.

The Sombrist slammed the two pipes together, and the zip gun exploded; completely flying apart. But by then, the shell was fired, and buckshot had ripped through the guard's head, leaving shredded skull and brains as the gore soup splattered across the workshop materials.

In tandem, the Loyalist spun around to the guard who had been beating 312, and grabbed the shotgun slung across his back - doing so roughly to choke him. He pulled the gun, pointed it, and fired into one of the other guards. Meanwhile, the last guard had no time to react as a pan containing molten metal was spilled all over him by the inmate at the forge, burning his face as he screamed in agony.

312 stood up with a rage in his tone, and slammed his hoof into the guard that beat him as the Loyalist choked him with the shotgun sling. The loyalist quickly undid the sling from the shotgun, getting away from 312 as the prisoner straddled the guard before proceeding to brutalize him; in a more deadly manner than his victim could've hurt him. His hooves turned his face into paste, and yet, none stopped him. This was justified.

The Sombrist, Loyalist, and Changeling ran to the different guard's corpses. They would take the shotguns for themselves, while throwing pistols over to the other prisoners, with one final shotgun now in 312's hands after he had finished brutalizing his tormentor.

The Loyalist was the first to take action, jumping onto the table to address the other twelve prisoners in the room.

"Alright, technical part first!" The Loyalist exclaimed. "Those of you who aren't armed, stay behind us and loot their corpses! If you see a spare weapon, pass it to a brother or sister! By now, the riot in North and West should be starting! The moment you hear explosions and aircraft, that means Captain Shining Armor's attack has begun, in which case we can begin to engage the enemy! I want absolutely nocreature left behind; I don't care who they are or if you had problems with them while locked up in this hole. We've set out to leave Fort Cherish this morning, alive - or dead - and together!"

The prisoners chanted - "Death to Fort Cherish! Death to Fort Cherish!"

The Loyalist smiled. "Now since we have a few minutes, the poetic part. Years ago, we would have pointed our guns at each other in some snowy trench. I do not want to think how many perished in these lands because of the war. We were soldiers who knew what we signed up for; but Fort Cherish is a crime against creaturekind. A travesty. Nobody should have to endure this kind of torment, and I certainly would not wish it upon my enemies either. And still, after all we've been through, I would never forgive myself were I to still call you "enemies". We've survived all these awful days and nights, thinking when we'd be worked to death, frozen, or starved. We survived all this because we have friends to return to. Families. Lovers."

The Loyalist looked down upon his brothers and sisters...And decided this was not the position to be in. He smiled, and jumped down onto the floor. He would be at eye-level, before continuing.

"Today, we will return to them. But if we do not, then so be it. We will die as soldiers, as those who spit in the face of oppression!"

The Loyalist looked at them with tears in his eyes, and wiped them...Before coming close to the prisoners. They all held onto each other, hooves on each others' shoulders, blinking with tears of joy.

The Loyalist spoke, trying not to choke on his own happiness. "We will not let ourselves die with a whimper, without dignity! Today, we either reap our freedom, or face our final hour with pride and courage! We will live or die..."

He raised his shotgun high. "As free spirits!"

The prisoners began to chant, hugging one another as they screamed with nothing but joy and ecstasy. Whether with courage, with a thirst for violence, "Hoorah! Hoorah! Hoorah! Hoor--"

And with that, a chain of explosions rocked the entire ground, with glass blasting across the workshop. Looking out of the small slits that replaced windows, the Loyalist nodded.

"It's been too long - mother freedom! Let us embrace her! Kill these bastards!"

***

The F-4 Phantom screeched through the sky, releasing multiple missiles that locked onto different targets. The truck depot, several guard towers and gun installations, a fuel tank, and a bridge used by guards to get a position above the courtyard. The jet flew past the prison, too fast for the anti-air weapons to even lock onto it, madly spinning as it did and drawing ribbons with its trails.

"Not bad, Frenzy 1-2!" Raz laughed in the cockpit, the thestral adoring every second she flew in the aircraft, even looking past the fact she had a copilot. The pony in the back, a crystal pony, had been working the radar, and identified targets for her, and to her surprise, was able to keep up with her antics.

"<>" Gomer yelled over at the radio - who at the time was in the helicopter that was fast on approach, along with his team and other loyalists.

"<>" She responded back on the radio. More explosions rang.

Raz was able to pick up on enemy transmissions as she was working on bringing the bird in for another run.

"<>" Yelled the warden over the radio.

"<>" Shouted a pony in the HQ.

Another pony spoke on the radio. "<>"

The warden was heard yelling. "<>"

The next approach of Raz's Phantom had fired unguided rockets straight into a juicy depot that was built as a connected section to the castle's exterior, meaning she had not to worry about collateral damage. The smaller rockets broke through, and detonated the fuel and vehicles inside; shaking the castle and partially tearing off a section of wall where guards slipped and fell into their icy death below.

"<>

"<<...Y-Yes, okay! Don't arm that damn bomb yet, get whoever you can to find us some transport, right the hell now!"

The approaching helicopter flew low, and over the wall - the helicopter's gun turning the AA installations into Swiss cheese. The loyalist team leader inside the helicopter, who was attached to Colton's group, listened to his own radio, and patted Colton on the shoulder - the latter turned to to him. "Captain Shining Armor has reported that the blizzard is in full effect! Sunburst's group's magic is blocking it off. QRFs should be in the dark!"

"Good!" Colton exclaimed past the noise. "How are the strikes?"

"Your pilot's a damn demon, that we're sure of! Most targets were taken out in that first run! The rest can be taken out by the helicopters and saboteurs!"

"Okay!" Colton turned to his team. "Here's the plan! We're going to make our way to Mirage, but take out key targets to help the prisoners! First we're going open the armory for the prisoners! Then we're clearing out the headquarters! That building should be connected to an entrance to the lower levels. Once that bomb alarm rings, we have twenty minutes to leave! Stick together, and help anyone in a prisoner's uniform, no matter who they are!"

Chari sighed, adjusting her .45 ACP SMG. "I suppose no changeling down there is loyal to Chrysalis anymore. I hope. Right, you got it then, Colton!"

The pilot waved his hoof to signal them. "We're about to insert! ETA one mike! Get ready 'cause we can't stay up there long!"

"Get ready to jump!" Colton exclaimed. As the helicopter hovered above the courtyard, a green light came on. Chari nodded to Umfuni and Cipher, who held onto her shoulder each. Plymouth nodded to Gomer, and held onto him. The team would jump out of the ramp together.

Gomer's wings were strong enough to let him unfurl them so that they allowed him to partially glide and descend slower with Plymouth, acting as a parachute to let the two land safely. Chari in the meantime used her magic to a similar effect, her wings quickly growing into large dragon ones, before flapping just before hitting the ground to give Umfuni and Cipher safety, before they landed. Colton easily flew down, pegasus wings scattering snow as they flapped before hitting the ground.

In the courtyard, prisoners swarmed guard installations. Some of them were mowed down by machine gun fire, but others were able to use their looted weapons to fight back. They used the metal carts for cover as they pushed them to block out the bullets, and used all the tools and items they could find in the prison. While some were pinned down in the courtyard and in the blocks, some were able to break through into the buildings. A makeshift bomb was thrown into the slit of a bunker, detonating the inside and turning all occupants into mush.

Colton's team ran for cover, immediately firing upon positions where they saw the enemy. The guards were in panic and disarray, but could still discern friend from foe. While prisoners were attempting to swarm and break through the different blocks and outside sections, they were gunned down by the guards who were armed with bullpup assault rifles. Both Gomer and Umfuni took controlled shots at them, to give the prisoners safety.

Turning the corner, Colton was just barely able to jump back the way he came, before machine gun fire rained bullets at his general direction. He yelled into his radio. "Raz! Guard tower marked "N3"! I need you to take it out!"

"<>"

With a terrible sound of ripping, canon fire erupted from the F4 Phantom that swooped past the tower. The strafe was short, but the precision of the firing had erupted the top of the tower in a storm of blood, completely ripping apart its occupants.

Gomer cheered, taking the opportunity to run through the area to get a better angle at the enemy. "Fucking hell Raz, you're a meat grinder!"

"<>" She bellowed, going up high into the sky to then spin and dive in for another run - missile ready to destroy a tank that attempted to roll out of a garage to attempt to crush the resistance; blissfully unaware that Raz was smirking. A bad sign for any of her targets.

The team would gun down any other guard that they spotted. Plymouth was surprised to see a Changeling prisoner jump by his side with a shotgun - joined by two crystal ponies; the Sombrist and Loyalist.

"You're the New Marelanders!?" The Sombrist shouted past the gunfire.

"Well I myself am from Lake City!" Plymouth grunted. "But yeah! Who tipped ya off?"

"I'm in contact with Shining Armor!" The Loyalist exclaimed. "Heard you're looking for something here!"

Cipher slid into the same cover as they did, reloading as he spoke to the three, having overheard them. "Need to get to the lower levels! First though we get the armory and headquarters!"

The Changeling nodded. "Okay! We need the armory as well. We'll need to move fast, before the guards can grab more serious hardware!"

"Then let's go now!" Cipher shouted. "Colton, can I take Umi and rush the armory with these three!?"

Colton needed a few mere seconds to understand the tactical risks and implications. He patted Umi and nodded; and so the Zebra nodded back. Vaulting over a barrier, Umfuni slid right next to Cipher. He peeked out to point his grenade launcher, and was able to aim it straight at a window that housed a machine gun. With one projectile, the launcher was able to slip through the crack, and completely eliminate its user.

As they approached the red gate of the armory, Umfuni had blasted in two more grenades through its windows. Flashbangs. Illegal ones that had a more permanent effect; causing a louder-than usual sound that completely raptured ear drums, and burned out the retina to a terrible extent.

Umi then approached the door and reached into his backpack, producing a sheet of plastic explosives about the diameter of an A4 paper, and pressed it against the red doors with his hooves. He and Cipher, alongside the three prisoners, had stacked up behind it. With a click of the detonator, an explosion tore the doors apart, and completely crushed several guards on the other side, who suffered from deafness and blindness. Umfuni's brutal breaching techniques had made quick work of the place; swiftly ending twelve guards, while Cipher could only get to five.

Prisoners started to pour into the armory; each practically jumping onto their weapons. Many chose what they were comfortable with during the war. Many of the changelings quickly sought out one another to form the same teams they were in before the war, and many of them frowned as they noticed the were missing someone. The loyalists were quick to organize themselves based on the chain of command, quickly adjusting and understanding who was at what rank, and who could order who. At a disadvantage were the Sombirsts who already consisted of lesser trained garrison forces. And yet, they were clever; not allowing pride to overtake them as they instead opted to fill in missing roles among the other two factions.

"And that's the South taken care of, it's ours!" The Loyalist cried out.

"Finally! I felt so naked without one of these!" The Sombrist prisoner triumphantly yelled, kissing an assault rifle as he began to load it.

The Loyalist from the trio took command of a smaller team. The changeling waved, and parted ways, as he was tasked to helping the prisoners in the West; who were reported to be on approach with a group of flamethrower-wielding guards.

The Sombrist took part of a mixed Loyalist-Sombrist team and began to charge north, where the guards had attempted to get whatever transport they were able to gather.

"The warden is next!" The loyalist exclaimed, rallying the prisoners as well as waving over to Colton's team. They now had the momentum - the loss of the armory for the guards meant they were now facing prisoners who had the means to fight them. Serious means. They would only need to sprint for five minutes to cross the courtyard and approach the command center; the most obvious building as it contained a great vantage point over the entire prison. The small team of loyalist prisoners, and Colton's, stacked up against the door. Umfuni took the lead to breach again.

The explosive tore the door open, blowing apart the guard that was on the other side. Umfuni led the breach once more, but didn't allow his deadly skill to hinder their work. He took fast and controlled shots, firing at anyone who wasn't wearing a more officer-like uniform. With that, they had left three ponies in the room. One held his pistol extended at the team, but Umfuni rushed him and shoved him into the wall, causing him to drop his piece. Umi then held him against the wall by his neck and restrained him.

"Gentlecolts, gentlecolts!" The warden laughed, sitting in his chair. "Let's not get hasty." He softly said, raising his hooves along the other officer. He was an old stallion who was decorated, both with medals and wounds on his face. Colton was unable to hold back disgust; to see a veteran treating soldiers like this.

"After all..." The warden smiled. "I know who you are. You have rules. Wouldn't want to cause an incident and violate the conventions, right? I think we may negotiate, like civilized--"

Colton shoved his pistol right into the warden's eye, which wouldn't have been an issue were it not for the monolith silencer that made quick work of the eyeball. The warden screamed in terror, the other eye shot wide open as he began to lose bowel control, legs buckling as he dropped from the sheer shock, pain, and terror.

"Mirage." Colton quickly said.

"M-MERCIFUL DAYBREAKER!" The warden screamed bloody murder, attempting to get the gun out of his face, but unable to do so - as anytime he reached for it, Colton pushed it in deeper; the stallion involuntarily twitching as he felt his brain getting poked.

"Y-You can't do this! Monsters!" Screamed the disarmed younger officer as he was restrained by the zebra. "You have rules, you fucking animals!"

"Rules?" Umfuni growled...And showed a side he wouldn't dare show in any other normal circumstance. He grabbed the guard by the head and smashed him against the wall, immediately splattering it with blood. He did so to reduce him to near unconsciousness, but he knew he was still heard. "What you do in this death camp voids all rules, you scum..."

"...You were right." Gomer whispered to Chari. "Kasans get pissed at shit like this."

"Where. Is. Mirage?" Colton repeated and started to push the pistol deeper in.

"BELOW!" The warden screamed. "D-Door...i-is connected to the concrete building! C6! S-She's there! She's--"

Colton roughly pulled the suppressor out, leaving the warden squirming on the floor as he held onto his socket.

"P-Please don't kill us!" Exclaimed one of the other younger officers, a mare who raised her hooves which were still callused from beating down a prisoner from the same day's morning.

"We won't." Colton waved his team to regroup. They would walk out of the door, one by one...

And the officer screamed in fear.

For Colton's team swapped places with a mob of angry prisoners, who furiously swarmed the chamber, yelling words of murder and hatred.

***

Colton understood why it was building C6 - for he already considered to be suspicious. It looked more like a concrete block with an iron door; which was quickly dealt with by Plymouth who used his magic to pick at its internal mechanical locks. The door obnoxiously screeched, muffling out the sounds of chaos and fighting in the background.

And all the saw was a long, long flight of iron stairs down into a dark abyss.

"...This must be some kind of phobia." Plymouth muttered to himself.

"Bathmophobia." Chari flatly said.

"...Fuck you." Plymouth rolled his eyes. "Who knows that kinda shit off the top of their head?"

"Cut the chatter." Colton cut in. "Let's go."

Umfuni nodded and took point, flashlight and gun trained forward as he stepped into the darkness.

***

The deeper down the stairwell they went, the more distant the sound of fighting was. They stopped hearing sounds of gunfire and explosives, not even the roars of Raz's plane. For now, they were descending into a void. At some point, they reached the end of the Castle's basement; and were now looking at a new stairwell. This one was made of metal and modern construction; meaning this was going much deeper than the castle's own dungeon.

It had been so deep that Cipher whimpered in discomfort, ears slightly popping from the pressure. Plymouth had felt the same, pinching his nose close and blowing to try and set it right. From all the explosions, Gomer's ears hadn't really noticed the difference.

They would finally reach the lowest levels; now in complete darkness, aided only by flashing red alarm lights...It was a much more modern interior, akin to a secret facility with the expected white walls and a more sterile design. Colton was under the impression that this was a secure location, that no fighting could've reached here. And yet...something felt off.

They slowly waded through the hallway, guns pointed forward. They noticed stains of splashed blood all over the walls and floor - not too old. But no prisoner could've reached here. What was stranger is the lack of other rooms; except for one close to the entrance, all the hallway led to was a chamber at the end; with a large vault door.

Colton nodded to Chari, who nodded back. She stepped forward; and on the way, had transformed her body - taking the shape of a mighty minotaur. Her hands gripped onto the wheel of the vault door, and her muscular arms had given the pressure needed to start spinning it to open it. With a pressurized hiss, it then began to move, and contained more darkness.

They would then slowly walk into the large, open chamber. It would've been nearly pitch black, but the emergency red lights gave some insight. Specifically, they'd be able to see a large glass box in the middle of the room, a small door-frame sized opening allowing entrance inside.

"Holy shit..." Chari whispered.

"..." Colton would look to see that inside the box was a big pile of corpses; all of them seemingly dragged here, while some others had already perished here. Blood and viscera lined the walls of the glass box...

And in the middle, sat a single silhouette.

Umfuni was about to approach, but Colton put a hoof on his shoulder...and took the lead instead, quietly walking closer as the team trained their weapons at the silhouette; who's details were hard to see in the darkness.

Cautiously, Colton extended a hoof.

A row of teeth rushed him and dug straight into his hoof. He was barely able to scream, yelling out just barely in pain. The thing threw all its weight on him and started to attempt to mangle him, trying to bite his face, neck, and hooves. He was barely able to wrestle it, avoiding the teeth as they snapped at it. They would put a shark to shame with how razor-sharp they appeared, the teeth were like sharpened pikes. One final snap of the jaw however made it past his guard, and went for his jugular.

However, a large arm intervened. Chari, forgetting to transform back, took advantage of her minotaur form, and punched the silhouette right in the face, knocking out one of the fangs and causing the silhouette to be launched to the side. With that, the changeling transformed into her normal form.

Panting for air, Colton needed a moment, he was helped up by Plymouth and Cipher, who both sighed in relief as they saw his hand wasn't in critical shape.

"Who the fuck's that!?" Gomer shouted, coming closer to observe who the this prisoner just was...

And so did the group approach the silhouette. It was unconscious, so Colton leaned in to turn it to its side to look who it was.

As they identified the target, there was complete and total silence - shock, and confusion.

...

Chari was the first to speak, whispering with a shaky, unstable voice. "...C-Colton, order someone to restrain me. I-I can't do this...Please..."

"Chari--" Umfuni tried to gently approach her, but instead, Chari drew her pistol, and pointed it at the silhouette. Umi and Plymouth both ran at her and held her back, Plymouth using levitation to wrestle her pistol away.

"Why..." Chari softly whispered as she tried to resist the two; and then released her emotions into a shout. "WHY IS SHE HERE!? WHY IS SHE ALIVE!? WHY AREN'T WE KILLING HER NOW!?"

They all looked...

Looked at Queen Chrysalis, who was unconsciously laying on the concrete. She was thin, as if starved for all these months. Bruises, scars, all adorned her body. There was blood all over her; and none of it her own. Mostly, the blood was all over her muzzle.

"Wait, wait..." Gomer rubbed his eyes in confusion. "This shit doesn't make sense. Queen Chrysalis is here? What the fuck - the who's on the throne right now? Who's the one on television trying to keep the changelings calm after they screwed up so badly? Who the fuck is THAT, if THIS is the real one?"

Colton sighed as he crouched by the sleeping Queen. "...Well, another changeling obviously. Either a queen, or, I dunno. Whoever it is, they're cooperating with Daybreaker. Now I understand why this "Mirage" was kept so secret. Remember what Corvus said? Daybreaker detests her. And Aurora's worried what would happen were she to be seen in public..."

"If she's seen in public..." Cipher whispered. "The changelings are going to go mental. And the VOPS integrated into the Solar Empire is going to defect..."

Wasting no time, Plymouth levitated the unconscious queen over his shoulders. "Either way, we can't stay here long. Let's get her out--"

"WARNING!" Exclaimed an automated voice. "Contingency plan armed. T-minus, twenty minutes."

"...Who the fuck did that!?" Gomer shouted. "Fuck, come on - we should have enough time! Leg it, for fuck's sake!"

***

The helicopters would take as many prisoners as they could. The braver ones volunteered to board land vehicles that were already leaving, no longer in danger of being caught in the blizzard as it dissipated. A CH-47 Chinook however patiently waited while its blades were still spun up.

The loyalist team leader stood by the door and anxiously waited by building C6, and sighed in relief as he saw the team emerge...and tensed up as they saw just what, or who they were carrying. They ran inside and dropped her body like dead meat on the floor of the helicopter, and sat on the seats; panting for air as they just had to run up what was, more or less, 30 flights of stairs.

"Had to set it to arm now, of all times!?" Colton groaned.

The captain gulped, eyes unable to leave Chrysalis. "W-Well, t-the blizzard is gone and potential QRFs may be incoming..." He said, and gave the pilot a signal. The ramp would close, and the double-rotary helicopter would fly up into the air, leaving behind Fort Cherish, and about three hundred corpses, all scattered around.

"<>" Came Raz's voice from Colton's radio. "<>"

"...Nobody Cadence will be happy to see." Colton spoke back.

Amidst the corpses in fort Cherish, there was movement.

The Changeling smiled softly. He laid underneath a pile of bodies mowed down by machine gun fire - too weak and hurt to even beg for help. At-least, he got to see his queen. One more time. And finally, he'd reunite with his closest friend. A promise was kept.

The final peace granted to him, before the atoms from his body were ripped apart and torn asunder; completely.

***

"You...You brought Queen Chrysalis into the castle!?" Shining cried out in anger and fear as he saw the queen that was laid out on a table in the cellar.

"Blame Corvus." Colton flatly said. His team was here, minus Umfuni and Chari, the former trying to calm down the latter, as she was itching to enter the room and kill the queen herself. "All we knew was the designation. What or who Mirage was, wasn't clear up until now."

"Shoulda been obvious..." Plymouth commented. "Name's a bit on the nose, huh?"

"This is a breach of security!" Shining exclaimed. "Do you not remember what happened last time Chrysalis got close to me or Cadence!?"

"I remember." Flatly said the voice of Princess Cadence, who had just entered the room. She looked without much emotion at the unconscious changeling queen. Shining whimpered, he didn't want her to find out - didn't want her to stress herself.

"Cadence, dear..." He whispered. "We're going to get rid of her, I-I promise, just stay away from--"

"Shining." She coldly said and came close to the unconscious queen, now standing directly above her. Gomer didn't like this one bit, and drew his weapon slowly. This earned the attention from the other guards in the room; who first quickly drew their weapons at him...But noticed he was pointing the gun at the changeling queen. And so, the guards followed along with his idea, and pointed their own weapons at her as well.

"..."

"I know you are conscious." Cadence whispered, holding back the disgust in her tone.

"..."

"...You know..." Queen Chrysalis sighed, eyes still closed. "I was going to keep pretending and playing along. Hoping I'd hear something useful from one of you. But I certainly can't keep it up with your annoying voice in this room. When I impersonated you, it was...quite hard not to vomit with each syllable."

"...I would hurt you. Very badly right now. Without fear of any consequence." Cadence said with spite.

"In-vain." Chrysalis scoffed.

"But I need you to speak. And I need you to speak right now, Chrysalis. What's going on?" The alicorn said, her own voice staying strong despite the fact she almost felt as if she was literally forced to swallow her pride.

The changeling queen sighed and sat up, looking around herself...The guns were raised up somewhat higher. She smiled. "Give me a moment, and I will." She told Cadence, and looked at Shining.

"Love, it's been too long." Chrysalis grinned, mocking Shining by replicating Cadence's voice. Shining stared daggers at her, horn involuntarily charging. She sighed and discarded him, looking at Colton and his group. "Hm...Fresh meat? You're lucky you found me after I had my feast. You would've had to be my meal if the place was empty."

"You do look famished." Colton smirked. "Karma's a bitch, huh?"

"Little pony." Chrysalis laughed. "You smile, yet forget in who's presence you are. I am the beacon of the future of the changelings. Do you really think that I will not seek you once I get rid of that witch sitting on the throne of the Solar Empire? I am going to enjoy slitting your throat while you watch the sunset over your land, as my changelings--"

"Punch you out?" Colton interrupted. "That tooth you're missing? You can thank the changeling who really, really hates you - and is on the other side of that door, while our poor CQC specialist can barely keep her out. Do you really want to know what's gonna happen if she comes in?"

"One of my own changelings?!" Chrysalis laughed loudly. "Don't try to make me laugh! Must be one of those Greneclyf weaklings, right? What could she possibly--"

"UMI, LET ME THE FUCK IN!" Chari's voice run out from behind the door, muffled - just barely. "SHE'S AWAKE RIGHT NOW! I CAN HEAR IT!"

"You can come in, darling!" Chrysalis smirked. "I'm more than curious to see just what--"

The door was busted open as a yak ran through it - at such speeds that Chrysalis was still mid-smirk by the time the yak's massive formed rushed right through her, knocking aside everyone else in the room like bowling pins. Felled to the floor, Chrysalis hissed and transformed into a tiger, planning on using agility and speed against the foe; yet her eyes widened to see that in the few seconds, her foe transformed. Chari had turned into a gorilla and grabbed the cat by the throat, before slamming it right into the wall.

Chrysalis was only barely able to break out, turning into a mosquito and taking the chance to book it into the nearest vent system; but this was certainly not enough, and not the wisest choice as Chari transformed into a frog and leapt at her, using her tongue to catch Chrysalis and pull her in. Chrysalis grinned, knowing Chari took the bait as she then transformed into a ferocious viper, attempting to use the momentum of being pulled in...Yet cancelled the transformation, and turned into her regular self; knowing that otherwise, she wouldn't survive the minotaur fist that was positioned to meet her.

Now, the female minotaur straddled Chrysalis and began to pummel her, using her massive arms to punch her right across the face, knocking out even more teeth and bruising her; and only stopped once a powerful blast from Cadence was shot right into her spine; paralyzing the minotaur as she turned back into a changeling, and fell to her side. Quickly, Umfuni ran up, and dragged her away.

Chrysalis laid there coughing and gasping, unable to comprehend what had happened. Cadence used her magic to levitate her up, and back onto the table.

"Who...Who was that!?" Chrysalis shrieked. "Kill her...I'm...I'm going to kill her! How dare she defy me!? How dare she raise her hoof against her own QUEEN!? This is as if raising a hoof against your own MOTHER! How--"

"Highly advise you to be careful from here on out." Cipher coughed. "Chari lost a lot of things because of your regime. A lot of friends, too. If anybody here wants you dead, it's her. And trust me, I saw her tussle against Daybreaker's special forces. She's scarier when she's more concentrated."

"Chari..." Chrysalis coughed. "I...I will remember--"

"You won't remember shit, bitch." Plymouth yelled at her. "Now, spit the fuck out whatever you were going to tell us! Why were you there, and who is on your throne!?"

"How should I know!?" Chrysalis shrieked at the unicorn. "I was sent to that damn box after Daybreaker wiped the floor with Sombra and Nightmare Moon! I thought to escape, and yet she cornered me! Then I was kept there, interrogated and tortured because that was her will!"

"..." Colton sighed. "Princess? You're the only authority other than Twilight Sparkle able to comment or make choices. What do we do with her?"

"..." Cadence glared at Chrysalis, and looked at Colton. "...You will get your order in one day." She simply said. "For now, wait. Enjoy the castle. Enjoy the city. Do not let Chrysalis free."

Chrysalis chuckled. "Oh really? You know that's a tall order for your--"

"If you cooperate..." Cadence said. "I am going to put you into a position that will allow you to do significant damage to Daybreaker and her regime."

"..."

"...You're serious?" Chrysalis laughed. "I don't believe you, girl - but fine. I'm curious. If you want me to stay put because you have an idea on how to beat that skank, then, by all means." She said. "Now, throw me into a damn cell or something. I need my alone time - being surrounded by organic filth such as this...is maddening."

"Take her away." Cadence said to the guards, waving her hoof dismissively. "Maximum surveillance. Have Starburst and his mages ready to react if she tries something."

The sound of shuffling hooves washed through the room - and the queen was carried off. Leaving Colton and his team alone.

"..."

"Why are we waiting for one day?" Colton asked.

"Things..." Cadence began. "...Need to fall into place. Just wait, please. It's all I will ask."

"..." Colton nodded, and gestured to his team. They left the room, and with that, the only ones left were Cadence and Shining.

All they could do was look at one another...and hug.