The Rise of Wrath

Diceroll stared on, alarms going off. "Sir, you can't possibly be considering firing! It'll take down the city!"

Rainer sighed. "Diceroll, I'm sorry, but I have very little other choices. Anyway, the weapon can fire precision shots as well. This building shouldn't be a problem. I'm sorry Diceroll."

"Sir, with all do respect, my stallions will not allow you to do this! I have a negotiator in there right now! He's one of mine. Hell, he's barely a teenager!"

Rainer turned on him. "A teenager!? Are you mad!?"

Diceroll restrained himself from shouting. "No sir. The enemy requested a negotiator must be 16 or younger, or they'd kill the civilians if we didn't go over to their demands. So, I sent in Salinear."

"So you sent that colt into a very dangerous and possibly fatal situation!? Diceroll..." Rainer sighed. "Fine. You did what's right. But you only have an hour."

Diceroll grinned. "You can count on me."

As he said it, his headset crackled, and Sal's voice came through. "Hey, I'm with the hostages. Any ideas? Cause I've run dry."

Diceroll bit his lip. "Alright, I need you to continue pressuring them. Somehow. See if you can't get more out of this Felon character. You already got us valuable information."

"Alright."

...

Felon nervously trotted up to Fenris. "Captain?"

Fenris turned. "Yes?"

"Do you think this is right? I mean, originally we just wanted a power source, for our magic to be stronger. Now, we're threatening to murder dozens of ponies, along with a colt. I mean, thats just not what I signed up for. If I'd known it'd be like this, I wouldn't have gone into the military no matter how much my family told me to."

Fenris nodded. "Me too. This isn't what I expected. But let me give you a bit of advice. War never changes. It's always the same. Bloody, merciless, and cruel. Nopony expects it to be as bad as it always is. War does, however, change ponies. Things that we always thought of as wrong back home are alright on the battlefield. We changelings didn't expect the resistance in Canterlot, and didn't adapt quickly enough that our annexation had turned to war. We paid for it. Now, we have adapted to bring the might of our military to war. It's unlawful, yes. But war always changes morals. That's in it's nature. If that answered your question, I need you back down with the negotiator. Continue to 'reveal' our plans. Hopefully, the General will run out of time. Then do we play our cards. You get it? Good. Go."

...

Several minutes later, clock ticking, Sal found himself once again in the conference room, with Felon across from him.

Felon sighed. "So, how are you willing to negotiate?"

Sal almost sighed in relief, thinking he'd done it. Then, he realized he was only halfway.

"Well," he stuttered, "Me and my friends on the ground would like to ask you to back down. We want to change what you wanted."

Felon nodded. "Indeed. Well, what are you willing to offer?"

Sal answered, having already been told by Diceroll. "Immediate transportation back to your homeland, with no lives harmed, and the promise of peace with Equestria. Otherwise you're captured as prisoners of war."

Felon snickered. "Really? You don't have a clue how the changeling military works do you? Here a history lesson then. We don't volunteer for the military according to our cutie marks or interests like you. Changelings go into the military because they have to. Outcasts, the slums, rural areas, convicts, all these are what make up almost the entire changeling military! They go to war because their pay check is sent home! It's how they feed their families! Back home, normal changelings never experience tasting love, because they don't live long enough to feed! They're lucky if they can put food on the table, much less have the ability to feed off others then their own loved ones. This war, this conquest, was more like a gold rush then an actual mobilization! We came because one, it would get the ponies back home food, and two, we may just be able to strike gold. Free love. After a while of using a loved one's love, it gets bland in flavor. We always need to find new sources, because we can't always feed off our wives!" Felon, finishing his rant, continued to stand.

Sal, having listened carefully, asked quietly. "Are you like one of them?"

Felon looked at him like he was crazy. "No. My family, the Blakes, are rich and prosperous, with a proud military history. As eldest of twelve, I was pleaded to go into the military. Anyway, I realize your conditions may seem fair to you and maybe even me, but the soldiers I know would rather die then be sent back. So, any other ideas?"

...

"Times almost up." Rainer growled.

Diceroll grimaced. "I get it! Anyway, why the OFC?"

"It's reusable, unlike C4 or any other explosive we've got. And it'll send a message to the enemy army." Rainer spoke calmly.

....

Salinear was taken into the final conference.

Felon stood alongside four changeling troopers. "Hello Salinear. Wonderful. Anyway. I'd like to inform you that the negotiations failed. Not like they stood a chance anyway."

Immediately, Sal was grabbed by two troopers. "What!? You said we've still got hours!"

"Yes, but the general doesn't."

...

Diceroll looked on helpless as Rainer's personal guards lined up. A shield projected around the tower to protect the surrounding from debris.

Rainer himself stood up behind a table with a small suitcase set up. He planted a key into the box, and it opened, revealing high--tech readouts and a big red button.

...

Sal stood in the penthouse. In front of him was a table with Fenris and Felon. Behind them, standing looking out upon the window, was what Sal could only describe as the Grand Admiral. His uniform was nightmare black, matching his body. His eyes were blood red, and his singular horn was glowing slightly.

"Well Salinear. It was wonderful making your acquaintance." The admiral's voice was cold and heartless, and it sent shivers down Sal's spine. He turned to face Sal. "However, I'm afraid you will not be seeing Diceroll and his companions again."

...

Reluctantly, Rainer pressed down on the big red button.

Instantly, a massive, multicolored lance struck out, flattening the building instantaniously.

Diceroll could only look on, a single tear streaking down his cheek. The boom was also encased by the shield but Diceroll hear it in his mind.

Then, suddenly, a panicked unicorn ran up. "General Rainer!!!"

"What!" Rainer barked.

"Sir.... the changelings... they..."

"Spit it out!" Diceroll spat, a sense of even more dread growing in his stomach.

"Sir, the changelings cast a spell moments before the blast." He spoke sadly, solemnly.

"What type of spell" Rainer asked carefully, realizing something bad was going to be said.

Diceroll answered, for he already knew. "Teleportation."

Rainer paled. Then, he flew eight feet backwards as Diceroll gave him a uppercut that would have made a martial arts master proud.

Diceroll charged the recovering superior, and pinned him up against another buildings wall. Rainer's guards' weapons went up.

The Major General gasped for air. Diceroll stared into his eyes, not needing to say a word. All those civilians had died, Sal had died, for nothing. It was despicable.

Erasalo spoke. "Come on General. He's not worth you're time."

Diceroll snarled, and dropped his commanding officer.