It was the night after the battle of Sweet Apple Acres. The resistance had settled into the Everfree a sizable distance away from the Orchard, dragging their more important prisoners in tow.

With Twilight and Zecora guiding them, the resistance made their way to the old abandoned Castle of the Two Sisters. The Resistance had set up a base camp there, campfires blazed as freedom fighters drank and shared stories, happy to finally be free of the oppressive looming tower of the Changeling Hive and the buzzing of dark magic. It certainly helped that they had just struck a blow to the empire today, however minor.

Freedom Fighters drank and roared happily, dancing around the fire as the newly liberated slaves celebrated their freedom alongside them. The Imperial Soldiers they had captured were tied up to poles in the middle of the camp, the more... passionate resistance members tormenting them.

"Traitors! The lot of you!" Spitfire hissed "Scum like you should be shoved into Tartarus! You're lucky I haven't killed you right here, right now!"

"We are the traitors?!? You turned your back on the rest of Equestria!" One of the soldiers, a grey unicorn, shouted back at her. Twilight recognized him vaguely. He was one of the Royal Guard. More specifically a guard from Canterlot Palace.

"The Emperor provides unity and stability, something those princesses you are oh so loyal to never did!" The guard hissed.

"Stability eh? I got your stability right here!" Spitfire said with a smirk before she brought her fist back and punched him directly in the face as hard as she could. Her cronies laughed, jeered, and whooped as Twilight turned away and cleared her throat.

She and Starlight sat in the center of the camp with Zecora, Blueblood, and Pharynx. The five of them sat on ceremonial rugs weaved for them by Yona's family in thanks for their liberation and reunion with their daughter. Twilight found herself pleasantly surprised at how quickly they had weaved the rugs!

Twilight watched the revelry pick up as Big Mac slammed a big barrel into the center of a crowd and ripped off the top revealing an entire reservoir of apple cider. Twilight quickly rose to her feet to try to get herself a mug before it was all gone, but she was stopped by Blueblood.

"Come with me please. We need to have words, you, Starlight, and I." He said with a hand on her shoulder. He looked to Starlight who nodded and stood up. Blueblood soon lead them away from the party, up a long-unused stairway to a half-collapsed but ultimately stable parapet overlooking the quiet forest.

Blueblood crossed his arms over his chest and spent a couple of moments looking over the forest, observing for torchlight gleaming through the Everfree's dark canopy, or the massive shadows cast by Draconic Leviathans but nothing came. He finally sighed turning and looking squarely at Starlight.

"What can you tell me of your time with the Emperor?" He asked, suddenly staring her dead in the eyes. His own pale blue hues narrowed suspiciously. "And how did you escape?"

Twilight suddenly stepped forwards with a start. "Excuse me? Are you accusing her of something?"

Blueblood snapped at her just as unexpectedly. "I have had hundreds of friends betray me and side with the Emperor since this resistance began. Excuse me if I am suspicious of a pony I have never met who spent days right at Spike's side!"

Twilight took a step back, glaring at him. She opened her mouth to speak again but she was silenced by Starlight.

"It's ok Twilight." She said stepping up and looking at the prince. "I was kept by the Emperor's side while in his captivity. He was going to keep me as bait to get you guys to walk into a trap. He didn't reveal anything to me unfortunately."

Blueblood raised an eyebrow and stared her down. "And your escape happened because...?"

"I..." Starlight said before gulping. "I used one of his slaves as a shield to protect me while I teleported away..."

Twilight's eyes widened, her sight quickly snapping to her apprentice. She found herself in shock. How could she have done such a thing? She supposed it was no worse than what she had done though. She was a murderer.

Blueblood's eyes widened. "Did the slave teleport with you? Which one was it?"

"Yes. It was... Thorax. The changeling." Starlight said with a small nod.

Blueblood suddenly smirked. He turned his hands behind his back. "Excellent! We can use him as a shield against Spike. On top of that, he will allow us to put Pharynx permanently under our control. Where did you leave him?"

Twilight suddenly stepped forwards, shutting up Starlight. "What did you just say?" She hissed with narrowed eyes.

Blueblood took a step back in initial shock. He was quick to steal himself and step forwards locking eyes with Twilight. "What I need to win this war." He replied, his voice cold and calm.

Twilight balled her hands into fists. "You just talked about using someone as a hostage to force one of our allies into compliance."

"Pharynx is a changeling. His kind are creatures of deception. The only way we can make sure to secure his obedience is to use his brother. Otherwise he will betray us to his mother at the drop of a hat." Blueblood growled. Twilight was quick to notice his sclera turn a neon green as his eyes turn a deep red. Dark purple mist started leaking from his eyes.

Twilight tsked. "Look at you. You're using dark magic. You are no better than Spike and Sombra." She said, pitty in her voice. "Not morally at least."

Blueblood stomped forwards grabbing her by the collar of her shirt. Twilight's horn instinctively sparked to life, her eyes turning a pure white, a sign of the powerful spells she was readying. "Back off! You know nothing about me or this world!"

"Shut up! Both of you!" Starlight suddenly shouted. Both of the royals turned to her. Their horns and eyes ceased to glow.

"I don't have Thorax anymore." Starlight said with a furrowed brow. "I traded him with Sombra for the location of the Resistance."

She smirked at Blueblood, not noticing Twilight's face turn a pale shade of white. "Sorry to say 'prince' but he is safe back with his people at the hive."

Starlight felt her smirk slowly die as Twilight approached her, numbly placing a hand on her shoulder. "You did what?"

Pharynx sat in the center of the camp, a slight smile coming to his face as he saw a pale green earth pony pulled away by a Yak to sit at a campfire with her family. She giggled as he awkwardly shuffled to sit down on one of the Yaks rugs in a faux traditional way, only to be knocked to the ground when the Yak patriarch laughed and gave him a firm pat on the back.

His compact eyes scanned the revelry of the camp, he saw three pony fillies, one orange, one white and one yellow happily singing together around the campfire, wearing old red capes that looked a couple of sizes too small for them. He saw two Gryphon Resistance members happily and drunkenly lock lips before shambling off to a quiet part of the camp. He saw Soarin take to the air and dazzle several of the younger members of the camp with a quick, dazzling display.

And through it all, his smile never faltered. What he was thinking went against all of his instincts as a changeling but... it felt good to be bringing families together, instead of ripping them apart for food. He could only chuckle at the irony.

"Well, isn't that interesting." Zecora suddenly said with a chuckle. Pharynx turned to her with a raised eyebrow. She was staring intently at him.

"What is?" Pharynx questioned with a grunt.

"I never thought Mr. Tall Dark and Violent was capable of smiling." She chuckled. Pharynx rolled his eyes in response.

"I am... I just haven't had a lot to feel good about recently." He replied. Neither noticed a Resistance member approach them nor did they notice that there was actually two of this particular member in the camp.

"Well, suffice to say it is glad to see even you are enjoying the festivities. I guess that means we Equestrians are still capable of having a good time, even without Pinkie-" Zecora started but was cut off by a flash of green light. The entire celebration came to an abrupt end as all eyes were suddenly locked on the changeling that stood above Pharynx and Zecora.

"Pharynx! The Queen would like to know why you chose to desert your post, as well as why you are among the prey." The changeling loudly asked and an arrogant smirk. Pharynx recognized him, and it made his blood start to boil. His name was Cornicle. He was one of the many changelings who made it their personal mission to torment his brother at every opportunity they had.

He rose to his feet and stared down the other changeling. The two started to slowly circle each other, like two apex predators sizing each other up before a fight over territory or a mate. Pharynx noticed out of the corner of his eye as Twilight, Starlight, and Blueblood came barreling out of a tower with pure panic in their eyes, which was only heightened when they saw the changeling.

"I am on a mission to save my brother from the Emperor. One of Chrysalis's two only sons. That is a worthy enough goal to abandon my post." Pharynx hissed, baring his fangs. He expected a fight, Cornicle was always one to try to take him on. To prove he was the superior changeling.

"Oh ho ho. There's the thing." Cornicle laughed coming to a stop. "We already got Thorax back. He was delivered to the hive by Sombra just a couple hours ago."

Pharynx came to a stop to. His worst fears had come true. Chrysalis had him again. "W-what?"

"Yes. As it turns out, Thorax had willingly given up the location and plans of the Queen to Spike. Suffice to say he has been branded and given a bunch of new holes. Apparently his torture is only just starting! How does that make you feel Prince-y? That your brother is a filthy traitor?" Cornicle giggled prancing around Pharynx as the warrior remained still in place, processing what was being said with a hollow look in his eyes.

"You know, I am not even here to get you actually! I was sent here by Queen Chrysalis to give my thanks actually!" Cornicle laughed before turning to Starlight Glimmer with an overexaggerated bow. "We must give our most sincere thanks Mrs. Glimmer! Without your help, we would never have been able to ca-"

Cornicle was silenced with a sickening crack. The crack of carapace being broken. He looked down to see a black blade pierced directly through his chest, green blood coating it from base to tip. He grasped at his chest in shock as the sword was ripped from his chest.

A hand on his shoulder turned him around, and he found himself face to face with Pharynx, his features contorted into a pure, unadulterated rage. He barely had time to open his mouth, to attempt to beg for mercy, before Pharynx shoved his blade into his again chest.

Pharynx ripped it out and stabbed again, and again, and again. His violent grunts being the only sound in the castle as the rest of the Resistance silently and fearfully watched him disembowel Cornicle.

Soon his blades frequent stabs found nothing but air, the entirety of Cornicles chest being reduced to one single rapidly bleeding stab wound.

Pharynx dropped the changeling's corpse to the ground and slowly turned, his vision red with rage and his body coated green. He madly stared into the crowd until his vision locked onto Starlight Glimmer.

"You..." He growled madly, taking a shaky step towards her.

Starlight stepped back and raised her hands. "P-please Pharynx. It was an accident. I didn't know."

He suddenly lunged at her and slashed his sword vertically downwards intent on cutting her in half. Only an incredibly quick shield from Twilight saved her life, the blade digging into the shield and getting stuck like an ax into a chopping block.

Pharynx madly pulled at his sword, trying to dislodge it. "I'll kill you! I'll kill you!" He roared, as he bit at the air and clawed at the shield like a rabid animal.

He felt his arms suddenly grabbed as the two Yak adults they had saved from the orchard pulled him off the shield and pinned him down.

"Calm down bug pony!" One roared, but it didn't stop him his eyes still locked on Starlight. He was going to rip her apart, even if it meant he had to kill everyone here.

There was a massive flash of green fire, both of the Yaks cried out in pain, their arms singed by magical fire. They retreated just in time to see a massive six-legged monster rise to its feet. With a violent slash, it struck the shield, cracks emanating from the place he hit like a shattered mirror. His sword, which had been still embedded in the shield snapped in half from the force he hit it with.

Two more strikes. Two more strikes and the bitch would die. He raised his claw again, preparing to bring it down, but a black bolt suddenly hit him in the chest. His form dropped and he stumbled back. There was now a hole going straight through his chest.

He looked up to see Blueblood's horn emanating mist, his eyes glowing green. Just like how he looked when he shot Smolder.

Thoughts raced through Pharynx's mind. He was going to bleed out now. He was going to die. That meant he had only one chance to save his brother. He wasn't going to waste it on revenge.

He stumbled back, coughing up blood before he took to the air. Leaving the camp behind. Twilight called back after him but he didn't listen. He was going to the one person he knew could help Thorax.

It was night time in Cantlerlot Palace. Emperor Spike stood in the throne room of said palace, looking over a map of Canterlot and the surrounding regions with Smolder, Garble, Ember, and Starlight.

The throneroom had gone through significant changes since Smolder had taken over. All busts and stain glass windows depicting Celestia or the Elements of Harmony had been torn down and replaced by ones depicting Smolder in larger than life poses. The many reds and golds of the room had been replaced by purple and greens, the colors of the empire. The throne itself had been tossed out a window and replaced by a large dark grey and orange one, which had a built-in flamethrower which spewed fire out of the top.

Smolder claimed it looked really cool, and she was right.

Spike knew for now that a potential lead, however tiny, to Thorax's location was currently with the Resistance. They needed to be found. Now.

"Any ideas as to where they might be?" Spike asked his loyal council.

"Hmmm. I will send a letter to Flim and Flam at Sweet Apple Acres. Reports claim that prominent members of the Apple family are with the Resistance. They might try to go there." Starlight exclaimed as she circled the Orchard on the map with a quill.

"And I will alert all military garrisons from here to Gryphonstone and Yakyakistan to report all sightings of the Resistance before engaging. This should make tracking them easier." Garble said with a nod.

"Good. That should make things somewhat easier at least." Ember said with a slight smile. She turned to Spike, hope in her eyes. Spike returned the look.

All eyes suddenly snapped to the entrance to the room, as the throneroom's double doors slammed open. Spike hissed in anger.

"I ordered not to be... disturbed...." His anger pattered off as a dragon guard limped into the room, a hole going through his chest which leaked black blood.

The guard stumbled in, collapsing several times but he always scampered to his feet as the frozen Emperor watched him. "S-Spike... Emperor Spike..." he hissed in pain until he finally collapsed at the Dragonlord's feet.

"S-soldier? What happened to you? Are you alright?" Spike asked in concern. He kneeled down and placed a hand delicately on the soldier's shoulder.

The guard slowly raised his head and stared into Spike's eyes. The soldier suddenly burst into flame. Spike fearfully retracted his hand. Ember cried out in surprise and lowered into a defensive pose, Smolder took a step back and Garble started to rush to Spike's side and

In the place of the soldier was a changeling. He expected a sudden knife strike that would end his life, but nothing came.

Instead the changeling stayed still. Spike raised a hand stopping Garble. On second look Spike realized that this was the changeling he was after! On top of that, he was still injured. The hole was not an illusion, and it was identical to the one Smolder had been given. He was hurt. Badly.

The changeling then opened his mouth to speak. His voice was weak, obviously from his injury, but it still carried hints of a gruff military personality.

"I... I know how to save Thorax..."