"Thorax, wake up."

The changeling commander groaned before opening his eyes. The sky was still dark but he could tell Celestia would be raising the sun soon. Thorax shook himself awake before looking at the warrior.

"Time to go," he said simply.

Thorax nodded and brushed the sand from his body before putting on his helmet. He flew on top of Gilgamesh's helmet and the warrior secured him with his scarf once more.

The warrior began to play a song like he had done the whole trip, but unlike the fast and loud tunes he had played before, this one was more subdued. As they ran and the song continued it began to become more bombastic and heroic.

Thorax was surprised to find Gilgamesh rather quiet during all this. The commander looked down and saw not the eyes of a wayward traveler looking for fun but those of a warrior on a mission. As the sun rose Thorax gripped his scimitar reflexively.

We're coming, Princess. Just wait a little while longer.

The two travelers had reached their destination before noon, traversing the twists and turns of a path leading between large desert rocks, before Thorax ordered Gilgamesh to stop.

“Just around this bend we can see the gate to the hive. I sense some of mine at the opening so I’ll go first to put them at ease, then you can come.”

Gilgamesh nodded and untied the commander from his head, allowing him to flutter to the ground. As he approached he called out to the hive mind, only to receive no answer.

That’s odd. It’s not like I’m being blocked, they’re just not responding. Why is that?

As the commander rounded the bend and came upon the great gate to the hive in the distance as well as a squad of changelings in front of him, grave looks upon their faces.

“I am Commander Thorax, sent by our Queen. Why do you not respond to-?” he asked only to dodge a throwing sickly by rolling to the right. A bolt of magic came which he jumped over only to be met by the scimitar of another of his kin, which deflected by unsheathing his own. “TREASON! YOU WOULD DARE ATTACK YOUR COMMANDER!?”

“We have no choice, sir,” the one in front of him answered, holding his battle stance but not moving. Thorax noticed the fear and desperation in his voice as well as the sad look in his eyes.

“Explain yourself.”

“The princess is held hostage inside the Sanctum. We are ordered to repel any force that would try to enter the hive, lest she be killed. The demon leader even has a way to monitor the hive mind. We cannot share plans with each other or he will have her killed.”

Thorax’s eyes widened in shock before hardening in anger. He looked up towards the gate and noticed four demons, recognizing them as “Furies,” or that was what the scroll in Canterlot had called them. Their bodies were similar to gorillas while their heads resembled crocodiles, their tails also reptilian and bearing spikes. They were as tall as the Queen and bulging with muscles, clad in simple iron armor and wielding maces and axes. They grinned and chuckled at the changeling.

Damn it! To use our beloved princess against us! I should’ve expected something like this! Now, even if we retreat and try a stealthy approach, they’ll know we’re coming!

“Please, commander, run,” the changeling in front of him pleaded as he stepped forwards, his scimitar at the ready. “You can still escape and come up with a plan. If you try to fight past us, we’ll be forced to kill you. Even you couldn’t defeat us all by yourself.”

“Maybe he can’t, but I can,” came a voice from behind.

All the changelings flinched as Gilgamesh rounded the corner, scurrying away from him and shaking with fear, much to the confusion of the demons.

“Wh-what is he doing here!?”

“The Equestrian Princesses sent him as aid. We are here to rescue the Hive and the Princess.”

The changelings who were close enough to hear stopped shaking, their fear replaced by utter shock.

“I don’t remember being told anything about a changeling princess, but I suppose that falls under our agreement,” Gilgamesh commented, looking to Thorax before turning to the others. “So, will you stand aside and let me rescue her?”

The soldiers looked to each other, trying to deliberate wordlessly between each other. Thorax also noticed the demons on the gate hold their weapons at the ready, anticipating a fight.

The changeling who had fought Thorax finally replied. “I’m sorry, warrior, but we still cannot let you by us.”

Both Thorax and Gilgamesh noticed his stressing of that word, understanding his meaning. They both nodded and Thorax fluttered up onto Gilgamesh’s helmet before the warrior tied his scarf around the changeling, much to the other’s confusion.

"Where is the princess?" Thorax asked as his companion began to play another song.

“In the throne room, along with their commander,” the soldier replied. “May you run swiftly, warrior.”

“No problem,” Gilgamesh replied. The changelings attacked, only to be easily swatted aside as he dashed forwards. As he continued to run forwards, others attacked, their swords and sickles easily parried, their bolts of magic barely noticed. The demons on the gates prepared for battle, only for him to leap over the structure without paying them any mind. The demons reached for their warning horns, just for the nearby changelings to attack, trying to hold them off for as long as possible.

“WHICH BUILDING IS IT!?” Gilgamesh asked over the rushing winds as he fell to earth.

“THAT ONE!” Thorax shouted, pointing to a large pointed building with several holes, like a termite nest, that dwarfed all others in size. “THE THRONE IS THE HIGHEST ROOM!”

“GOT IT!” the warrior replied before landing and sprinting forwards, pouring on the steam, the nearby buildings passing like blurs as they went. About the time they were halfway there, horns began to sound.

“NO! THEY’RE GOING TO KILL HER!” Thorax shouted.

“LIKE HELL THEY ARE!” Gilgamesh shouted back before casting Haste on himself. Thorax could hardly keep his eyes open due to the wind rushing by his face, shocked that the several miles they had left to go were passing by in seconds.

“CAN YOU CLIMB THIS FAST!?”

“WE’RE NOT CLIMBING!” he replied before launching himself high into the air, ready to bash down the wall of the Sanctum that was rapidly approaching.

Princess Nectar flinched as she heard the warning horns sound.

“Well, well, well; it seems your subjects grew desperate,” the demon commented from behind her bound form. The white tiger-like demon already had his claw on the back of her head, his electrical powers giving him the ability to monitor the hive mind through her. “Any last words before I snap your neck?”

Nectar scowled. “You will die, Voltar. Mother will return and destroy you if it is the last thing she does.”

“Oh, so brave,” he taunted before tightening his grip.

Mother, I’m so sorry. I only hope you will give birth to another queen.

“And yet, so dea-”

The demon was cut off as the wall in front of the two burst open, a tall bipedal figure landing and slid a few feet before coming to a stop. He looked at the two before pointing to himself. “ORE!” he shouted before striking a pose. “SANJOU!”

...What in our ancestors’ name?

“PRINCESS!” came a familiar voice. It wasn’t until the warrior untied his scarf in one fluid motion that she recognized where it was coming from, seeing the familiar changeling flutter to the floor.

“Commander Thorax? You’re alive!” she exclaimed in joy only to flinch as she felt claws digging into her head.

“Don’t you dare move!” Voltar warned. “Lay down your arms or she dies!”

In response, the armored warrior unclipped his weapon from his back as music inexplicably began to play.

“FOOL! YOU FACE THE MIGHTIEST WARRIOR IN ALL EQUUS! YOU FACE ME, GILGAMESH!” he shouted before spinning his weapon in several direction. “LONG HAVE I SOUGHT A WORTHY OPPONENT! SCOURED HAVE I THE FURTHEST MARCHES EAST AND WEST, AND NOW MY QUEST BRINGS ME HERE, TO YOU!” he continued before stopping and posing once again. “YOUR SCHEMES ARE FORFEIT BEFORE ME!”

Everyone just stared, completely unsure on how to respond to this situation. As if mimicking their thoughts a tumbleweed began to blow by from nowhere.

“TUMBLEWEEDTOTHEFACE!”

“Wha-?” was all the demon was able to utter before he was smacked in the face by the offending plant. He flinched and smacked the plant away, only to be met with two massive boots smashing into his face and slamming him through the wall.

Nectar looked on in shock, barely noticing the warrior had cut the chains holding her to the floor until he picked her up.

“Thorax!” he shouted before tossing the princess towards him.

The commander leapt up and grabbed Nectar, cushioning her fall.

“FOOL! DON’T JUST THROW THE PRINCESS LIKE A RAG-!”

Before he could finish a lighting bolt shot past Gilgamesh, stopping right by the two changelings. It quickly transformed into Voltar, his axe already posed to cut them down. Thorax pushed Nectar out of the way before dodging the attack himself, the weapon smashing into the floor. The feline demon turned to slash at the princess, only for Gilgamesh to unclip his Genji shield and block the blow. Voltar kicked the warrior hard enough to send him flying into Nectar. Before the two smashed into the wall, Gilgamesh turned and grabbed the princess, shielding her as they both smashed through the wall. Voltar shifted into lighting, giving chase and following the two falling figures. Gilgamesh noticed and clipped his shield to his back, leaving one arm available to hold onto the young royal. The two battled as they fell, Gilgamesh expertly deflecting Voltar’s blows as the demon dodged the retaliating attacks, repeatedly shifting into lighting to attack from every angle.

Just before they finally crashed into the ground Gilgamesh cut open a portal in reality and escaped, closing it behind him before Voltar could enter. As the demon looked around, wondering what was happening, another portal opened behind him, the warrior jumping out and rapidly thrusting his naginata at his enemy, who managed block most of the blows while being forced back, only to be sent flying from a roundhouse kick to the face.

The tiger demon finally stopped bouncing and stood up. “So, you are decently powerful after all; but do you really think you can defeat the might of Voltar!?” he asked, lightning crackling along his axe blade.

Gilgamesh spun his weapon before planting it into the ground and carefully set down the changeling princess. “Ha! That was merely a test of strength, mortal! A prelude, if you will! The real contest begins now!” Gilgamesh assumed the proper pose before shouting “HENSHIN!” In a bright flash of light, he assumed his first transformation, stunning both the demon and the princess. “Come, little princess! Now you have a front row seat to the liberation of your lands and people!” he declared, picking her up in his two free arms as the other six wielded his weapons. “I.E., THIS BOUT IS AS GOOD AS MINE!” he shouted before dashing towards his enemy.

“You call me ‘mortal?’” Voltar asked as he raised his axe. “LET US SEE IF YOU HAVE THAT RIGHT!” he shouted before slamming his weapon into the ground, unleashing a wave of lighting at his opponent. Amazingly Gilgamesh used his own axe to swat the attack aside. Even if it did take some noticeable effort, the mere fact that the blast had been deflected, destroying a nearby building, stunned Voltar.

“THE LETHAL JOKE, EXCALIPOOR!” Gilgamesh shouted before hurling his massive broadsword like a javelin at his enemy, who just barely managed to dodge. The attack actually managed to take some of his whiskers off. Before he could right himself, Gilgamesh grabbed Voltar’s axe with one of his now two free hands, pulling him in and punching him in the face with the other. The warrior then used his claws to cut along the demon’s face before kicking him in the stomach and sending him flying backwards, only for the returning Excalipoor, assisted by Gilgamesh’s gravity powers, to smack him in the back of the head, causing him to spin forwards and impale himself on the warrior’s spear. He pulled out his weapon and caught his broadsword just before he used his axe to slam Voltar into the ground hard enough to make him bounce, finally sending him skyward with a strike from his flail.

“DEMON VOLTAR!” Gilgamesh shouted as he jumped after his opponent and kicked him to the ground. “IN THE NAME OF THE GREAT NOBUO UEMATSU, I VANQUISH THEE!” He then crossed all his weapons as a transparent glow surrounded him. “Hissatsu, Part 1!” he said, suddenly dashing at the ground towards his enemy. “ULTIMATE ILLUSION!”

Gilgamesh landed and slammed the ground with his weapons, causing bursts of energy to spring from the ground and travel forwards, carrying the helpless feline along with them, before finally exploding in one massive burst of power, the sound not quite enough to overwhelm the demon's cry of agony.

For a moment, all was quiet as the warrior stood up and smirked.

“THE PRINCESS IS SAFE!” called a voice from the sky. Everyone turned to see Commander Thorax diving down, his sword drawn. “FIGHT FOR YOUR PRINCESS! FOR THE HIVE!”

The changelings were shaken out of their stupor and shouted “FOR THE HIVE!” in return, charging at the demons who had held their leader captive, their sheer numbers overwhelming the larger opponents. In less than a minute it was over.

Just then a massive blast of lightning came from the ground, followed by the bloodied form of Voltar, his body crackling with power.

“NONE WILL STAND IN OUR WAY! THIS WORLD WILL BURN IN THE FIRES OF OUR VENGEANCE!” His body began to transform completely into lighting before launching himself at Gilgamesh and Princess Nectar. “DIE!”

Gilgamesh turned and shielded the changeling princess as best he could with his own body as Voltar met them and exploded into a massive burst of electricity, knocking over any nearby changelings.

“PRINCESS!” Thorax shouted.

As the smoke cleared, it revealed the image of Gilgamesh, still crouching protectively over Nectar, his body now crackling with energy. With a groan, he stood up, dispelled his weapons, and shouted in pain and determination as he fired lighting from his hands harmlessly into the sky. After it was done, he panted and slumped over. “Thank you, Jason,” he muttered. He then looked at the young changeling royal. “Are you well, your majesty?”

Princess Nectar, still shocked from everything that had happened, finally took in the form of her savior. After a moment she blushed and nodded.

“Y-Yes. Thank you. Um, who are you? I heard your name, but why have you come here?”

“He was sent by the Equestrians in accordance with our Queen’s request to liberate the hive,” Thorax answered as he approached, relief clearly evident on his face. “Your majesty, it is such a pleasure to see you safe.”

Rather than look relieved, Princess Nectar’s eyes widened in fear. “M-Mother is in Equestria? In Canterlot!?” she asked in a panicked tone.

“Yes, and she is alive. Worry not, Celestia and Luna have vowed-”

“No! You don’t understand! The demons here were just to keep us under control! The real bulk of their army left to attack Canterlot three days ago! Mother is in danger!”

“...Oh shit,” Gilgamesh muttered.

“Well, it looks like he managed to get here earlier than expected,” a changeling muttered from an alleyway between the buildings, turning to walk away. “It looks like this operation is a failure.” His form then began to change to something much larger and bipedal. “Oh well, there’s no way they can get out of this unscathed. With any luck that stupid tiger will kill one of those Princesses before he croaks.” The figure smirked before disappearing into a portal.

Corporal Pincer walked the halls of the Canterlot palace flanked by Prince Shining armor and his chosen hoofful of guards. The changelings were getting restless being locked up in the small cell and the Queen had managed to convince the Princesses to allow them out to stretch themselves one at a time to keep them calm. It was his turn, all the others having gone before him, except for the Queen who had said she was fine.

As they walked the corporal heard the clash of silverware and plates hitting the floor. He turned and saw a castle maid shivering in fear. What was odd was that she wasn’t looking at him but out the window. Curious, the changeling turned to look as well, and what he saw nearly gave him a heart attack.

“Hey, why have you stopped?” Shining Armor asked firmly, turning to face the prisoner. Pincer was too struck with fear to even turn to look at him. Unaware of what was happening, Shining Armor stepped forwards, his horn alight with magic. “Hey! Are you listening to me, you-!?”

The prince was cut off as the Corporal grabbed his head and turned it to face the window. Shining nearly retaliated, only to stop as he now saw what the changeling was looking at: a mass of black figures in the distance flying towards them, looking like a swarm of bats or locusts.

“SOUND THE ALARM! CANTERLOT IS UNDER ATTACK!” he bellowed. The other guards looked out the window and froze for moment before gaining their bearings, running off and shouting orders. Shining Armor was about to follow them when he was stopped by Pincer.

“Release us! Let us fight!”

“What!?” Shining shouted back.

“They’ll kill us too! Let us fight!”

Shining hesitated for a moment before looking at the approaching army. Deciding they needed every-being they could throw at this, he released the changeling’s inhibitor ring and shackles before calling over a guard.

“Head to the dungeon and release the changelings! Gather their gear as well!”

“S-Sir!?” the stallion asked in shock.

“DID I STUTTER, SOLDIER!?”

“N-No, sir!” the stallion replied with a salute.

“Don’t make me regret this,” he warned the corporal before galloping off, the changeling and the guard galloping off their own way.

YOUR MAJESTY, EMERGENCY! THE DEMONS HAVE COME TO CANTERLOT!

Author's Notes:

Ok, so sorry again to leave you guys on a cliffhanger, but I hope the battle tided you off for a while. I'll be posting a blog soon about my plans for the near future, so look forwards to that.

Prepare everyone, for the Assault of Canterlot.