3rd day of the siege of Chicoltgo, 5 in the morning.

One thing which was never mentioned whenever anyling talked about the Heer were the early mornings. Every day it was the same thing, get a good 4 hours of sleep and then spend the next 20 fighting for your life. Siege warfare however, really took it out of you; on the third day Radowitz was already exhausted.

Getting up early this morning, he was again kicked awake by Hardus. Apparently this was going to become a regular thing, at least it was more effective than an alarm clock. Hardus also only woke him up for important things, the Griffon was more than willing to put out minor fires and give him a few more minutes of rest.

Joseph had to agree, this was very important. Lying in a shattered house on their eastern perimeter, the two peered through various optics out of the city. With most of the outskirts having been torched to clear a line of fire, the two had an almost clear view for miles outside of the city. Through a telescope and binoculars, the two of them watched the same thing.

Bordering lake Solside the eastern perimeter was quiet, mostly shielded by the massive lake, fighting here had been low intensity and sporadic. On the other side of the frozen lake was the Crystal city of Hedgewards, and the flag of the Changeling Lands was flying over it.

Watching the city, the pair could see the occasional flash of guns and the crash of artillery shells. It was impossible to tell which unit it was, but at least some Changelings held the river bank of the city. Communication was impossible, the Crystal Imperial and Equestrian troops were listening to every frequency they were using.

The two needed to determine if they could do anything to help the fellow soldiers. Sending supplied over, reinforcing their position or evacuating them were all on the table. Unfortunately, the feasibility of every idea they came up with wasn’t good.

“Any idea what unit it is?” Hardus asked.

“I don’t know, could be any number of units which retreated from Alamein.” The changeling tanker murmured.

Adjusting his telescope, the Griffon mercenary focused on a shape by one of the building “I’m pretty sure that’s a tank, so they’re armoured.”

Joseph shook his head “It could just be a lone vehicle, its not unheard of a panzer platoon to get assigned to infantry.”

Hardus let out a quiet sound only describable as a tweet before pointing at a nearby Heer soldier. The house the pair occupied was also manned by three troops from the Special Naval Landing Force of all things. How Admiral Lysanders SNLF troops ended up here was honestly a mystery, but they were here none-the-less.

“You, find the nearest artillery officer and bring me their portable Stereoscopic rangefinder. Your naval infantry, you know what that is right?” the SNLF marine nodded before taking off out of the ruined building.

Sliding down from the broken wall, Hardus dropped his telescope to the ground as he took a seat. The Griffon was in deep thought, trying to figure out every way they could help the changelings trapped in Hedgeward. Beyond that, he also tried to calculate if the benefits of the additional griffpower was worth the risk.

Beyond that, they would be extra mouths to feed, and more potential Thoraxian troops. More changelings who’d need to maintain discipline, to arm and dole out rations of love to. Quietly, he wondered if it was better to leave them alone and let them absorb attacks which could otherwise be thrown against Chicoltgo.

As Joseph sat down next to him, the changeling Oberst continued his musings “We could try and walk across the frozen lake, maybe its thick enough to roll a tank over.”

“They’d see us moving from miles away, the tanks and troops would be sitting ducks on the ice. If they started shelling us, the ice could just collapse and plunge everygriff into the water.” Gerhardus shook his head.

“What about artillery?” Radowitz asked “They’re in range, we could support them with the larger guns.”

“They’d zone right in on us with counterfire, we’d lose all our heavy guns in a few hours. We wouldn’t know what to shoot at either, the shell’s would hit our own men just as often as the enemy.” Hardus dismissed with a wave of his paw.

“What about a sortie, we’ve got the tank and fuel reserve to launch a meaningful attack out of the city.” Joseph asked.

“I’m not sure if you’ve noticed.” Hardus groaned “But the Airforce isn’t exactly present right now. Any vehicle out there would be easy pickings to the Yabos.”

The dreaded Yabos. While the various pony Airforce’s had fought enthusiastically, the Luftwaffe had numbers and better pilots overall. While many individual Equestrian squadrons were far superior to their changeling counterparts, the average changeling was better than the average pony. Slight differences in doctrine and plane design also put the Luftwaffe ahead.

That was the case for everything, except the dreaded Yabos. Equestrian and new Mareland fighter-bombers who specialized in low level attacks. Mainly flying the Hawker Typhoon, the Yabos had become the scourge of the Heer. Flying beneath radar they were deadly enough when the Heer could guarantee air cover; when the Equestians had air cover, the Yabos were an omnipresent threat and dreaded by the panzer corps.

“Well I know that.” Joseph huffed “but we could go at night, 5th Brigade 16th panzer are trained as night fighters. They’re holding position somewhere around Solace Plaza I think.”

Night fighting was hard enough to do with infantry, fighting with Panzers was almost never done on purpose. Never in his years of service across three continents had Gerhardus seen or heard of a nightfighting panzer unit. Except for the obvious Thestral companies which Equestria fielded, it was completely unheard of.

“Nightfighting panzers, when’d that become a thing?” Gerhardus asked the obvious.

“It’s only a very recent thing.” Joseph confessed “Three brigades hastily trained just before the second invasion.”

Laughing at the changelings honesty, Hardus nodded in understanding “Well its better than nothing. Now we just need a target and battleplan.”

Nodding in understanding, Gerhardus sat on his haunches and shielded himself behind the rubble. While there was almost no chance of a sniper hanging around in this area of the city, the griffon wasn’t one to take chances.

Outside, the city was quiet besides the sporadic gunfire. The city had a pre-war population in the hundreds of thousands, although: evacuations, conscription, and the movement of labour had stripped it down to around 50 000 if the army’s census was to be believed. It meant that the changelings actually outnumbered the ponies in city.

It certainly made his job of defending easier. With a much smaller pony presence inside the city, they didn’t have to divert as many soldiers to peacekeeping in the city. The ponies could also be corralled into a smaller section, letting Hardus ease up the ROE for the forces inside the city.

“You got any family?” Joseph suddenly asked as he sat down next to the griffon.

Gerharuds just laughed “You know I was an orphan right?”

“Well I know that.” Joseph scoffed “But you got a girlfriend or something? Maybe some really close friends?”

“I don’t have a girlfriend, but I’m flattered that you think I could. As for close friends, well I’m still in contact with everygriff I knew at the orphanage. Whatever anygriff tries to say, they’re my family, the disinherited.” Gerhardus mused.

“Disinherited?” Joseph asked, confused by the statement.

The Griffon glanced at him confused for a moment before catching on “Oh yeah sorry, that’s what we call ourselves. We didn’t have families, so we made our own little dysfunctional one out of the ones no one wanted.” He chuckled for a moment “What about you?”

“Well I’ve got a sister and her In-laws. My sister’s great and technically my boss in high command. The in-laws don’t really like me.” Joseph admitted.

“Oh yeah? Did you do something horrible offensive, or are they just like that?” Hardus asked.

“I’d say it’s a solid mixture of both. My brother-in-law is very normal, nothing weird about him. The rest of his family are quite… I don’t want to say stupid, so let’s say idiots. I chipped in a not insignificant amount of money for the wedding, later found out that the grooms family took my investment and blew it all on doing up their house. Called a few friends of mine at V.O.P.S to get it all sorted, apparently getting embezzlement put down on their citizen records really makes someone dislike you.” Joseph explained.

Gerhardus let out a loud laugh slapping a paw onto the changeling tankers back “I forgot you changelings have citizen records, I can only imagine what’s listed on mine.”

Before the conversation could go any further, the SNLF soldier from earlier returned accompanied by another changeling. The artillery officer carried a portable Stereoscopic rangefinder on their back, the exact thing Gerhardus needed.

Setting up the equipment on the rubble, the Griffon artillery mercenary made to use the equipment as a sort of telescope. Using it, he was determined to get a better look at the situation in neighbouring Hedgewards. He wasn’t really sure what getting a better look would achieve, but it was important to know all the details.

Scanning whatever he could, Gerhardus saw vehicles and changelings on the ground. Artillery guns and boxes of ammo and food. Lying on the banks of the frozen lake, the resources there must have been safe from Crystal Imperial attacks. Based on the visible equipment and vehicles, it was probably some sort of panzer unit holding the city.

Finally, he spotted a flag flying over the city. The flag was white with the Changeling trident in the corner, it was a unit flag. “I see a unit standard.” He announced to the changelings around him.

“Really?” Joseph asked, “Can you describe it, maybe I know the unit.”

Fiddling with the controls, he tried to sharpen the image and discern its features. Finally getting a good look he began to describe its featured “It’s a black shield with a notch cut out of the top right corner. Inside is a grey symbol, looks a number 2 with the top inverted.”

“Hold on, I think I know who you’re talking about.” Joseph said.

The changeling tanker looked around the ruins of the building a few times. Locking his buggy eyes on a burned-out plank of wood, the Oberst grabbed the scorched plank of wood. The end, covered in black ash made a good rudimentary pencil. Finding a clear wall, the changeling drew the exact symbol for all to see.

Glancing at it, Hardus nodded “Yeah that’s it. Which unit are they?” he asked.

“That’s the unit standard of the Panzer-Lehr Division.” Joseph excitedly murmured “Of course, they were advancing parallel to us.”

“Sorry to interrupt.” Gerhardus snapped his claws to get the changelings attention “But who are the Lehr Division? Just assume that I don’t know the ins and outs of the Heer’s armed forces.”

“Right sorry.” Joseph chuckled “They’re arguably the best panzer formation in the Heer. They were advancing parallel to us, last I heard they were somewhere to our north in the corridor out.”

Well that certainly made things more interesting. If it really was an elite panzer unit in Hedgewards, they perhaps linking up with them wasn’t a terrible idea. Having elite and hard-fighting troops would make the defence a lot easier, although that depended entirely on their equipment. If most of it was already lost, then they’d be nothing more than a good infantry unit.

“What sort of equipment do they have?” Hardus inquired.

“They’ve got the usual Panzer IV’s and Panthers, the STUG’s and the like. They also operate a small troop of Spähpanzer Ru 25’s, it’s a brand-new type of light tank. Overall, its equipment is about a step above the tanks we’ve got in city; they also didn’t grind their way through battle, so they might even be at higher strength than us. They’re still organised in the early war fashion, 4 larger brigades instead of 6 smaller.” Joseph explained “They’re the cream of the Panzer Korps.”

Formed out of the best troops in the Heer, and the now disbanded Vestiopolios Foreign legion, its had seen combat in every one of Chrysalis war’s. From Canterlot fame, Stalliongrad revolution and clandestinely aiding the Hippogriffs against their mutual enemy of the Storm King. Their moto ‘Show them how it’s done!’

Joseph Radowitz had actually fought alongside the Lehr division several times during the war, including during the great retreat. The tankers and grenadiers of the Lehr division had actually lived up to their reputation, the 2nd brigade in particular had impressed him. A posting there was honestly the dream of any Heer officer.

“In that case, we’ll have to try some kind of operation to link up with them.” Gerhardus confessed “Although I’m not sure fully evacuating them is possible.”

“It’d be criminal not to at least try. Besides, the mere threat of it should spook the ponies.” Joseph argued.

“Guess we’ll just have to see.” The griffon muttered.

Miday Occupied Arcadia Bay

Chrysalis needed to pull out all the stops this time, this time it had to be perfect. There was no room for failure, this was going to be the biggest battle of the war. West of Chicoltgo, the largest armies ever seen on the continent were massing for battle, the combined forces of the Pony and Changeling alliances were gearing up for the final showdown.

Trimmel had explained the situation to her, and even she understood the gravity of the situation. Vaspier had finally pulled through and procured documents of the Crystal Imperial and Equestrian stockpiles, and it told Trimmel everything he needed to know. Despite their massive economic potential, the ponies were suffering chronic shortages of everything.

Like the Heer, they were burning through everything faster than they were making it. Bluebloods attack, the coup and the Crystal Imperial army’s attack was their last throw of the dice. Vaspiers agents were certain, the Ponies simply didn’t have the reserve to launch another big attack.

The same was true for her Changelings, the deployed tanks and aircraft was everything they could muster. If the Panzer Korps suffered one large defeat, they wouldn’t recover. Whoever won the upcoming confrontation, would have the freedom to attack of their own free will.

Her regime was secure in the Changeling lands, the support for her at home had never been higher, bot Olenia and the Northern Protectorates loyalty was wavering. Bjornling was a snake, and Changeling authority over the Northern Protectorate was always theoretical at best. Chrysalis had no doubt that he’d switch sides if the winds blew against her; frankly it was a miracle he hadn’t during the retreat.

Although she’d never admit it, Chrysalis desperately needed Bijorling on side. If the bears defected, then Soryth was wide open and Vestiopolis beyond it. If Soryth fell and the bears pushed into the hive’s territory, then she wouldn’t count of Ditrysium and Queen Helvia’s loyalty either. Chrysalis had no doubt that it would be the end of her reign.

Loosing here would also ensure the death or capture of the Griffon mercenary if he was even still alive. Without him, the Reich would certainly withdraw support for her regime; and without the Reich’s international support, the war was lost. Losing international support and the Heer’s fighting potential was a death-nail.

Trimmel was ready for the fight, he was frankly raring to go. Chrysalis meanwhile was nervous, every action she’d ever taken was risky; but she was always confident in victory. Now, Chrysalis wasn’t confident for the first time in her life. Partially, because she actually understood the stakes now; things really were different here on the frontline.

With the benefit of a days hindsight, this was probably a terrible idea. What was she thinking? It seemed like such a good idea a day ago, get some pictures and assure the Prince Grover that she was doing everything possible. But now this seemed like a truly awful idea, she should really have stayed in her tower.

Yes she was the most powerful Changeling Queen, with magical abilities only exceeded by the Alicorns, but bullets still kill. Unlike the previous battles and invasions she’d fought in, Chrysalis wasn’t some unknown spectre anymore, the whole continent knew her face and nopony would hesitate to give her another nose.

Standing atop the massive Grand Alicorn hotel, the Queen of all Changelings surveyed the city beneath her. Heer soldiers milling around, while the pony residents stiffly got on with life. Having been occupied for years, they were somewhat used to the changelings.

Massing all over the city and just beyond it, were the combined forces of the Heer. Bellow were thousands of Panzers and countless infantrylings. Truthfully, lings would likely never know how many beings were about to take part in the upcoming battle. Numbers often became hazy in situations like this.

She’d even made the call to deploy her personal guard to the frontline. The Queens guard were going to war, even her beloved King Tiger tanks. Even Trimmel hadn’t complained about her guard, actually seeming thankful for the extra forces. She’d even been told that he begrudgingly admitted that the Tigers he hated were almost perfectly suited to the coming battle.

This battle was going to be big, the forces filtering through Arcadia were heading straight for the frontline. Operation Crusader Trimmel had called it, aiming to hit the Crystal Imperial and Equestrian army’s somewhere around a ridgeline named Gazala. Once again she’d silently sent prays to the sky, thanking whatever was up there for giving her Trimmel.

While Chrysalis understood strategy and was unmatched at political manoeuvring and political scheming, Trimmel was something else. Without him, she wouldn’t have dared to invade Equestia and would have been content as ruler of her little corner of the world. Trimmel’s military prowess and her schemes were a match made in heaven.

Lighting up her horn, the Queen fired off a teleportation spell. After a moment, she found herself in an empty kitchen and quickly set about pillaging the pantry. She couldn’t be bothered to go through the song and dance of summoning the kitchen staff and ordering. It was more effort than the hungry changeling cared to go through.

She also didn’t want to bother her butler. Kurt Helborg, bless his little heart, would work himself to death if she asked. Not having larva of her own and as her closest living relative, he was technically the next in line for the throne of Vestiopolis. That was until she inevitably had her own larva, frankly it was odd that a Queen such as herself hadn’t produced a clutch of eggs yet.

Those uncomfortable thoughts of having a family were something for a later date. Right now, eating her way through the entire kitchen was the first priority. Then she needed to get Kurt to sleep. Finally, this war needed to be won. Then she could finally get around to creating a dynasty… and asking Trimmel an important question.

Throwing open the pantry door, Chrysalis went on the attack. Contrary to popular belief, Chrysalis wasn’t a fussy eater; the plate she left the pantry with showed that. Two sticks of pemmican, a few balls of mozzarella, an entire baguette, several slices of ham, and a pint of milk. Truly a meal fit for a Queen.

Depositing the plate and baguette down onto the kitchen counter, Chrysalis set about devouring the food in a slightly depressing silence. Not that she was complaining, quiet moments like this were something of a rarity in her life. The Queen took off her jacket and lazily draped it over a nearby chair along with her hat, getting mozzarella stains on them wasn’t something she wanted to explain again.

Her silent meal continued until a quiet voice broke the silence “I don’t see anyone, alright push me through the window.”

A moment later, a Pegasus fell through the far window. The Queen was about to reduce the pony to a black smear on the floor before she noticed their age, the pony barley seemed like a teenager. Looking around the room, the pony somehow didn’t notice her and shuffled around to the back door.

Confused by the whole situation, Chrysalis suddenly realised that the lights were off. With her changeling Queen biology and the night vision it came with, she simply hadn’t noticed that it was almost pitch black. Without her white jacket and hat one, she was probably almost invisible in the dark room.

The Pegasus meanwhile opened the backdoor and let in two more adolescent ponies, a Unicorn and Earth Pony. “Are you sure nopony’s around?” the Earth Pony asked.

“I’m sure.” The Pegasus confirmed quietly.

“Lets just grab it and get out of here before anypony turns up.” The unicorn nervously murmured, slinging a sack over her shoulder.

Quietly, the three ponies trotted right past Chrysalis and straight into the pantry. The young ponies quickly unslung the sack and began to quietly load cans and jars of food into the sack. Shocked by their priorities, Chrysalis examined their frames again. This time she noticed that the ponies were thinner than they should be.

With her long history of imitating ponies, Chrysalis had gotten to know their bodies quiet well; she could tell that these ones were malnourished. Their thin frames, slightly ruffled feathers and dull coats. The traditional signs of a poor diet. Chrysalis actually felt bad for them, these were her new subjects after-all.

Satisfied with their haul, the ponies began to make their way out. That was until they walked right into the counter. Not having night visions was certainly unfortunate in a dark room. After shuffling around in the dark for a minute, the trio of ponies argued in hushed tones before the unicorn of the trio cast a hornlight spell.

The magical light illuminated the room and cast its soft light on Chrysalis. The ponies froze just like Chrysalis. Until that exact moment, the Changeling hadn’t realised that she was mid bite on a slice of ham. The pink meat hanging loosely from her fangs. The four beings awkwardly staring at each other, Chrysalis honestly hadn’t thought this through.

“Errrm, hi.” She greeted, using her magic to place the ham back down on the plate.

Stunned momentarily and sweating after being discovered, the three nervous ponies struggled to put together an appropriate response. Despite their obvious fear of repercussions, they didn’t immediately panic much to their credit.

“H-h-hi there ma’am” The earth pony began.

“Now I know this looks bad…” the Pegasus took over, sweating profusely.

“But there’s a perfectly reasonable explanation. It’s a really really good one which explains everything...” The earth pony continued.

“Yeah yeah.” The Pegasus explained hastily “You see, we have permission from…from…er.”

“The chef!” the otherwise silent unicorn blurted out, her eyes shining bright with fear.

“Yes!” the earth pony jumped on the answer “We’re here from the chef! Toooooo, pick up some ingredients.”

Collectively happy with their horribly strung out answer, the trio nervously smiled at her. Sweat clearly running down from their faces and trying to appear as normal as possible, the three ponies failed completely at looking innocent and inconspicuous.

Chrysalis meanwhile couldn’t help but smile at the three young ponies, the equines managing to look so adorable with their big eyes and nervous smiles. As the surrogate mother of her own nephew, she always had a good maternal instinct for young beings. It also struck her at that very moment, that these three ponies had failed to recognise her as the Queen.

Giving a smile, Chrysalis stretched her own magic out and flicked the lights on, giving the unicorn a rest from casting the hornlight spell. The Changeling Queen reassured them with a nod before speaking “Would you like to join me for lunch?”

“Oh well that’s very kind of you ma’am, but we really should be going.” The Pegasus stuttered “Can’t annoy the chef with our tardiness.”

“I’m quite sure they won’t mind, I insist.” Chrysalis smiled.

Nervously glancing at each other, the three ponies realised they couldn’t get of this, they relented. “Excellent.” Chrysalis cheered “Help yourselves to anything from the pantry, my treat.”

It was refreshing to talk with normal ponies for once, Chrysalis was able to forget that she was Queen for a while. While she loved ruling and wouldn’t give it up for anything, talking with normal Changelings once in a while helped keep things in perspective. Besides, the three ponies had piqued her interest.

Silver Veil, Saturn Soul and Golden Horizon; the ponies who’d stumbled upon her lunch were good company. Opening up after a while and making fine conversation. Learning about their woes and struggles of everyday life was also enlightening; their parents were probably alive, but deployed somewhere in the Equestrian army. The local V.O.P.S commander for example would be getting a visit from the Queen later, if even half the things the ponies accused him of were true…

Chrysalis meanwhile made constant deflections about herself, talking about her high workload and job pressure. She’d even brought up her fear at the upcoming battle, and even received some sympathy in response. Ponies feeling sympathy for a Changeling going into battle, this was a really strange conversation.

Beyond it all, Chrysalis could sense a ponies emotions and knew when they were lying; a magical skill held by all Changelings. The staggering thing was that they were being completely genuine, it wasn’t some elaborate act. The encounter just assured her beliefs, that her Changelings could live alongside the ponies; that in a century the empire she would build would still exist.

When Chrysalis finally left, the three ponies made their escape out the window having ‘deceived’ her. They didn’t realise that they’d just shared a meal with the Queen of all Changelings. The V.O.P.S inquiry into their parents whereabouts and subsequent release from POW camps being just a happy coincidence for them.

The corruption charges levied against V.O.P.S commander Quiet Night and his subsequent execution by the Queens Guard were also just happy coincidences for the occupants of Arcadia Bay. The sudden influx of food rations all across the occupied territories and expansion of aid schemes the following day also having absolutely nothing to do with the three adolescent ponies who’d raided the pantry.

3AM Chicoltgo Northern perimeter

Something was moving on the ice. Initially just a few reports that the Griffon had dismissed as lookouts getting jumpy, he was now certain that something big was happening on the lake ice. While initially joyous about the wind and snowfall which had set in overnight, it was now a double-edged sword obscuring whoever was out there.

Even the best spotters couldn’t tell if the shapes were friendly or foe. Since the discovery of the Lehr division just across the ice, the ROE in the northern sector had been significantly tightened up. Right now, no one could tell if the Equestrians were going to launch a sudden attack across the ice, or the Lehr division was attempting a dangerous crossing.

Watching through the swirling snow, Gerhardus saw a single shape approach ahead of the rest. It could be the beginning of an attack or a single Changeling coming to talk to them. Damn it, there was too much at stake to just open fire. In the STUG just next to him, sat Joseph Radowitz, also watching the encounter through his binoculars.

Making a risky decision, the pair decided not to open fire as the figure gradually became visible. Minutes ticked by in total silence, before Radowitz confidently stated “It’s a changeling.”

“Lovely.” Hardus breathed “You.” He pointed at a random PanzerGrenadier standing nearby “Go out there and bring the Changeling here.”

Throwing the rifle onto their back, the Changeling rifleman galloped out into the mist. After yet another agonising minute, the PanzerGrenadier returned with a Changeling wearing a slightly grey uniform. This new Changeling appeared slightly scruffy, but otherwise in good health. Marked on their uniform was the same Lehr symbol Hardus had seen in Hedgewards.

“Lovely welcoming committee you’ve got here.” The Changeling commented, unimpressed by the PanzerGrenadier’s gun pressed to their back.

“No jokes” Hardus scolded “What’s happening out there, tell us quickly before the men get jumpy and start shooting.”

“We’ve abandoned the tanks and heavy equipment in Hedgewards.” The Lehr officer quickly explained “We decided to make a night crossing over here, some 15 000 of us. Try not to shoot at us.”

“Alright I’ll give the order.” Gerhardus nodded.

“Thanks, sorry about the shortness; but the lads really don’t like how exposed they are out there.” The Lehr officer explained.

Radowitz meanwhile watched the other Changeling very carefully his eyes narrow. This officer seemed just a bit too well fed, both with food and love. Despite his words, the officer also didn’t seem particularly worried about the exposed position of his men. Then again, he was here now, not out there.

The tank commander had also met many members of the vaunted tank division who were overly casual about many things, this wasn’t totally out of the ordinary. He himself was more than guilty of acting far to casually on the battlefield. After all, those who survived long enough on the battlefield often thought themselves invincible.

“You with 5th brigade?” Radowitz asked the Changeling.

A pair of bird eyes swivelled up and watched Joseph carefully. Their eyes met, and understanding passed between the two of them. The Griffon turned to the Changeling expectantly, waiting for an answer. The PanzerGrenadier meanwhile also glanced up at his commanding Oberst, before levelling his gaze on the Lehr officer.

Caught off guard by the question, the Changeling stumbled for a moment before giving out an answer “Yeah I am.”

“Excuse me.” Gerhardus simply said before padding away. The PanzerGrenadier meanwhile stiffened and took a few steps back.

Ignoring the Griffon’s sudden departure, Radowitz continued on “Yeah I thought I recognised the uniform, 5th who doesn’t recognise the Lehr divisions 5th brigade.” The Changeling nodded as he smiled as Joseph continued. “Yeah you guys in the 5th Brigade saved me at the Battle of Arcadia Forest.”

The other Changeling laughed a few times, “Well you’re welcome for that, never going to leave another ling behind am I right?” he said before laughing.

Radowitz laughed along with the Lehr officer “Hey you know what’s funny?”

“What’s funny?” he asked.

“The Lehr division wasn’t at Arcadia forest.” Radowitz stated with a laugh.

With that one line, the other Changeling froze. Sets of eyes from all over the area suddenly found themselves staring at the alleged Panzer officer. The total lack of any defending response only damned the Changeling even more. Espionage in the Heer wasn’t well received by the soldiers, known spies and rats almost always found themselves dead.

It wasn’t unheard of for Thoraxian free soldiers to try and infiltrate the Heer’s ranks, it also wasn’t unheard of for the traitors to be found in shallow graves. While V.O.P.S officially wanted prisoners, that fact was completely missed by the Heer’s regulars. If this Changeling was in the Thorian Free Army, then that wasn’t the Lehr division down on the ice.

“They also don’t have a 5th brigade.” Radowitz continued.

Staring down at the impersonator in the low light, Radowitz could clearly see the fear in the Changeling’s eyes. The disguise and plan probably would have worked on most Changelings. Even at a cursory glance, it would probably have worked. Unfortunately, Radowitz was technically the Lehr’s commanding officer and had intimate knowledge of the divisions organisation.

In a flash, the Changeling lit up his magic and fired a bolt straight into the air, the green magical energy flying up like a flair. Simultaneously, the crack of a rifle filled the air; the PanzerGrenadier having placed a bullet firmly in the infiltrators skull. Illuminated by the light, Radowitz could see the shapes of vehicles on the frozen lake begin to scatter.

“Open fire!” he shouted in the silent night.

The flash of muzzles and the crack of guns filled the air, tracers of light soared towards the scattering Thoraxians on the ice. Behind them, the roar of artillery and thump of mortars began in a deadly volley. Shells screamed over them, and crashed into the ice. Vehicles were sent up in a fireball as gashes echoed out through the ice like spiderwebs from the point of impact.

Joining in the chaos, came muzzle flashes from the distant Hedgewards. The actual Panzer Lehr division firing on the impersonators. Shells from the distant city began to strike the ice, throwing an unknown number into the water. The Equestrian artillery concealed on nearby hills began to launch counterfire at the Changeling artillery, but Garhardus’s well sighted batteries knocked out the less numerous guns one by one.

The ’battle’ was over withing minutes, with perhaps a battalion’s worth of Thoraxian Free soldiers having been killed or scattered. The Heer’s losses meanwhile were comparatively light, with the only a few dozen dead or injured. Materially, the greatest loss was that of ammunition.

With the Equestrians having held off on direct assaults, hoping for the infiltrators to take the city, the Changelings had successfully survived another night. Watching the pony forces retreating and scattering into the mist, Gerhardus smiled at another successful defence. The ponies had failed again.

But inside he knew that this would be the last easy victory. The ponies had thus far attempted infiltration and precise attacks to break through the Heer’s lines. With that obviously not working, they’d finally pivot to a brutal siege. Tomorrow, the artillery attacks would begin at first light, and the Ponies would begin the arduous task of storming the rubble.

Author's Note

Unrelated to this, I recently played an EAW game with some people where a siege shockingly similar to this took place in Chicoltgo. Although it was the pony alliance throwing literally everything they had into defending and then lifting the siege on Chicoltgo. Was just a bit creepy how something eerily similar to what I was writing played out in a MP game lol.

Anyways, I legitimately thought I'd posted this a while ago and its been sitting ready for a while.

There's probably something intelligent I could say here, but I'm too tired lol.

Chrysalis was fun, I’ve shown her as the murder bug we all know and love; now as a relatively decent changeling. Looks after kids in particular well (foreshadowing)

In other news, I've been beta reading for this chap for a while now. He's just posted another chapter, so if you haven't already read his far superior work to mine, go and give it a read. It's a lot better than my slop, so I'd 100% recommend it.

TAnd so I left

• MLP: FiM
• Dark
• Adventure
• Drama

After decades of silent suffering, an unexpected event causes Luna to reach her breaking point much sooner. Instead of embracing her inner darkness, she makes a very different decision that will change her life in unimaginable ways.

• Violence
• Death
• Alt. Universe
• Celestia
• Luna
• OC

CrimsonS4ge · 106k words  ·  1,435  25 · 13k views

Feel free to ask any questions you want, and I'll get back to you. Criticism is also welcome, so are ideas.