The Rise of The Changelings
Chapter 10: Cleaning Up
Previous Chapter Next ChapterThe army had big choices to make. When reinforcements come to Foalis Foalba do they, leave a garrison and march for more cities or, remain here until the area stabilizes. The ponies still resent the changelings and grieving over the lost. The army took this time to bury the dead. The ponies despised that changeling hooves were burying their loved ones, but they took little action for they feared the army. The changelings found this strange, if these were their loved ones, they would demand for them to be able to be the ones to bury them, army or not. The ponies probably think that the changelings would also harm their families if they "disobeyed." A ridiculous sentiment. The changelings would actually be happy if the ponies did so. They really want some helping hooves with the work, there weren't many shovels and digging deep enough holes with your bare hooves is a pain in the flank, literally as well as figuratively. But no, the ponies were as unhelpful as they could possibly be. They even refused to help identify the dead. It's rather painful to bury the dead without identifying them so they can be properly marked so they can be visited by their family and be buried next to their loved ones when their time comes in many, many, many years. (Ponies tend to live long lives). Actually, while we're on the topic, let's talk about death. Without age spells, ponies can go centuries without showing signs of aging. The lifespan of changelings is unknown due to no changeling has ever lived a full life. They always die of something before one can truly age. The ponies all have all sorts of theories on what happens after death, the most popular is that they go to the sun where they live an eternally in bliss. Another one is they go to the moon as foals and play in Luna's playground to their heart's content. There was a movement saying nothing happens but was very unpopular. A few ponies think that they are reborn into another life, changelings have similar beliefs to this one. They believe that when a changeling dies, the changeling died for hive and queen and that they will serve again.
The unidentified are are put in a low cobblestone walled area and marked by sticks. It's big, too big. The ones who were identified were given a stone plaque with their name on it that is placed on top of the grave. Out of respect, Hay Stable was put in his palace/government house's wine cellar. Sand from the river, mixed with changeling silvia, was used to make a sort of sarcophagus. Hay Stable's corpse was put in and sealed. The cellar was locked. Hay Stable was now left in his final resting place all alone.
The palace was now a full time government house and lodging for officials. After a few weeks, the reinforcements arrived. The majors began to vote on whether or not to move on to another city and, if they do, who would be in charge. I might want to take this time to mention that there's five majors and that they're picking a captain (a lower rink). The issue, there's only two captains to pick from. Yes the changeling command is a little screwed up. You see, before Canterlot, there was no chain of command. Chrysalis was new at this whole organized warfare thing and she thought the higher ranks were more important, so now there's too many high ranking officers. They did have three captains but they left one in Sindhoof, Captain Ease Glider. The two captains to pick from were Captain Sharp Fang and Captain Hard Chitin.
After a while of debating, the vote was cast and they decided to head out and leave Hard Chitin in charge four to one in favor of Hard. The army set out south, following the river. After a week the army sights something east of their position. Watch Out reports seeing campfires.
It was determined that its a bandit camp. The army decided that daybreak tomorrow will be the bandits last. They set up camp. Now let's jump in shall we? Hmm, but who should it be? Ha, him...
"...Aye, and he had the gall to draw his dagger on me!"
Sharp Fang was carousing with his changelings over a fire and the wine they cleared out Hay Stable's cellar when making room.
"And what did ya do then?"
"Well aye told him if he loved her so much, 'then why ya out for so long? Aye've been ya for two weeks and nopony noticed.'"
Sharp took a gulp of his wine while his changelings howled with delight.
"Keep going, he pulled his dagger on ya, then what?"
"What else, aye dazed him and sunk my fang in his neck."
"Mother of the queen."
"Yep, that's why they call me Sharp Fang." he tapped his fang with his hoof. Sharp Fang has this birth defect where he has only one fang and it's half an inch longer than it should be.
"Aye almost feel sorry for the mare. She lost her husband and all."
"Ah, don't be, aye felt love from him but it wasn't her he was loving."
"OHHH!" the other changelings pounded their hooves on the ground, fore hooves to their muzzles.
"Alright that's enough of that!" yelled Major High Stag. "We're heading to battle tomorrow and the last thing I need is a bunch of drunk changelings passed out on the battlefield. Speaking of, it's time to hit the sack."
Every changeling groaned at that. "Come on Major, just a few more minutes." Sharp pleaded.
"Appsolutely not Captain, if we're take another city, we're gonna need every changeling we have. Good night Sharp." he turned and began to trot off. "Aye aye, Major High Stuff."
Every changeling tried to suppress their laughs. The Major turned right back to him and got muzzle to muzzle to him.
"I want you to remember that I voted for you to stay behind, don't make me think that way again."
"Aye sir." he waited until the Major to leave earshot. "Major antlers." he emptied his bottle and smashed it on the ground then went to his tent.
The next day was tartarus for him. Sharp felt like had an axe in his head and cotton in his ears. Nothing stood still either. Still, he'd been bar fights in worse conditions. After about five minutes of focusing, he finally grabbed hold of his spear with his magic and put on his saddlebag. The bags had of bottles of grease, to burn the encampment to the ground. He then trotted his way to his spot in formation. He looked at his changelings. They were in disarray, swaying side to side, and wobbling knees. Major High took one look at this display and than his fore hoof became glued to his forehead.
"Sharp, give me one good reason to let you battle like this."
"*hic* Well,*hic* ya'e ganna ned evey *hic* eery channnlig ya can get."
High's hoof presses harder on his forehead. "*sigh* Don't make me regret this."
"Don't ya woorey 'bout us Major, I fleel myself geeting sober *hic* already. Right evvery changeling?"
A jumble of moans , groans, and "ya"'s came as a response, "Not so loudly please!" called out one.
Fang gave a crooked salute and gave a sheepish smile.
High trailed his hoof down his face while he let out a loud groan. He then trotted off to the next division.
The army marched toward the encampment though the high grass, spears by their sides. Lookouts report the encampment shows little activity. The bandits must've not woken up yet. Prefect. As the army closed in, they noticed lookouts on the wooden palisade. They quickly flew up to take them out. Sharp Fang was just sobered up enough to fly, he took off and headed at a earth pony with a club. The pony saw him and pulled his club round but not before getting a spear in the barrel. Sharp was now inside the encampment, he pulled out the spear and scanned for his next target. He hazaly saw a diamond dog with what looked a bow, about ready to fire. Sharp was able to cast daze on it. It missed and Sharp leaped on to it and drove his fang in its neck. It howled and grabbed him. It tugged him out but the fang pulled out much of its neck with it. The dog threw Sharp and grasped its neck. It then fell to its knees before collapsing. Sharp stood up regained his spear.
"*hic* COME ON, WHO'S NEXT?"
He spotted a dog charging at him with a stone hammer. Sharp flew at it. He focused to cast daze and then, WHAM! The hammer made contact with his face. He flew about twenty five feet before landing with a thud. Sharp regained his senses and spear. He saw the dog coming at him again. He waited, then jabbed it in the shoulder and catapulted it over him. It went a distance before slamming into the ground. Sharp tasted blood, he felt around with his tongue and... HIS FANG! It's gone! The dog started to get back up.
"YOU LOUSY PIECE OF-"
He went full fury on it. Stabbing it in the chest over and over again until he calmed down. He turned his attention to the huts. Sharp grabbed an unbroken bottle of grease from his saddlebag. He cast 'spark' on the cork and tossed it. It shattered on the hut and burst into flames. It was wash, rinse, repeat until nothing was left.
Author's Notes:
My idea on aging in ponies:There was this nice chap I was talking to in a youtube comment section and we discussed this. He/she noted that since Twilight once said in winter wrap-up that Ponyville was around for centuries and since the the Apples practically founded it and that was when Granny Smith was filly, ponies seem to have long lifespans. It's also worth noting age spells. I might do other stories based on this idea.
ALSO, The religious LIKE material is in no way a representation of my personal beliefs. It's just a story. It's pretend. Don't bother me about it!
I'm sure most of you won't, but as for the rest of you, I'd prefer it if you keep your beliefs to yourselfs please. You can believe whatever you wish, just be considerate of other's own please and thank you.