The Hive: Parade Grounds

The changeling army as a whole stood at attention, all looking forward at their leaders. Queen Chrysalis stood in the middle of a stage, overlooking her army. She sighed, knowing that she alone had not crafted it or even had input on how to craft it. That all went to her daughter and her lover. Anthony and Scarlet stood by each other, to the left of Chrysalis, looking out into the large crowd. Shining Armor and his lieutenant stood on Chrysalis’s right, standing proud at what they helped to create. Chrysalis stepped forward to give her speech to her troops.

“My changelings, it is on this day that I would like to congratulate you all on coming together and forming a real military to defend our home. I know that I had nothing to do with your actually formation, and I will not take credit for it. You all have done this not for me, but for my daughter, Princess Scarlet.” Chrysalis paused a moment to look behind at her daughter and smile.

“That does not mean that I will not join you. I will be at the front of this force, leading you into battle. This war will be the last I participate in, for as soon as we have won I will be handing over my crown to Princess Scarlet. She will then take control of our nation and led you into the future.

“I have no regrets about this, for I have been in power too long. I would have stepped down sooner, but then what type of parent would I be? I could not knowingly send my daughter and former kingdom into battle with no experience. I know my daughter is smart and I know she would have found a way to win, but I could not leave a struggling nation in my daughter’s hooves to fix on her own.

“This war shall be my last, and it might be the last. But if more are to come, then I am confident that the Changeling Kingdom will not fall while my daughter is in charge. And I believe that she is the one to rule over you.

“And now to had this over to General Anthony, the one in command of you. And thank you for hearing me for one last time,” Queen Chrysalis said, taking a step back. The crowd applauded Chrysalis, knowing that she would not say something like that without meaning it. The applause was true as they all knew that is would be a service to work under their Queen one more time.

Anthony took a step forward and the crowd got quiet, knowing that the last time they carried on they had to run thirty miles in the snow. Anthony cleared his throat and spoke.

“Thank you, Queen Chrysalis. Now onto business. Blackwing’s army is on the move, on a direct collision course with Canterlot. If Canterlot falls, then the rest of the world might as well follow. Blackwing’s goal is to kill the Alicorn Sisters, and if he succeeds death will follow everywhere. He wants some form of revenge, and then world domination. He might also be planning to take control of other worlds, which is highly dangerous.

“Your mission is simple; take out Blackwing’s Army. This will be done as Queen Chrysalis, Shining Armor, Princess Scarlet, and myself battle with Blackwing and his commanders. Some of you will be injured, some of you will lose someone, some of you will die. If you fight, you might die, but if you don’t fight, you will die. This is not a faux attempt to get you to fight, this is fact.

“Blackwing wants everyone in this world to be his slave or dead. He sees changelings as the only race that would have a chance to fight against him, so he wants all of you dead. You could run, you could hide, but eventually he would find you and kill you. This is the time to fight.

“We must strike while the time is still open to us. We must fight to save not just Equestria, but everyone living in this world. We must do this for the future of not just the world, but also the changelings.

“I know that you are all ready to fight. I know that you are all ready to strike. And I know that you are all ready to see the fall of Blackwing. Today is a day that will live on in history when a torn changeling nation came together to form a force to fight for the future, for the right to live. For freedom.

“Today, we will march to Canterlot. Tomorrow, we will fight for Canterlot. No matter the outcome, it shall be a privilege to work with such valiant fighters. And for that, I salute you,” Anthony spoke, saluting the force. He was rewarded with a salute from the entire changeling army. He dropped the salute, the army doing the same thing.

“Now let’s move!” Anthony ordered.

“Sir, Yes sir!” was the reply Anthony got from the changelings, pride welling up in his chest. The army turned left and started marched toward the woods, staying in three columns. Anthony turned to Shining Armor and his LT.

“Shining, I want you and Chrysalis leading these guys through the woods. We won’t have to worry about being ambushed, considering how large of a force we have here. Sleep is not a factor here, as changelings can go a week without sleep. They are also all fed, so stopping for food is not a factor either. We should be there in no more than three days. Scarlet and I will follow from behind with Fluffy,” Anthony said.

“Right. Am I right to guess that you’ll transform for this battle?” Shining asked.

“You guess correctly. We need every advantage, and a Spartan super solder is a big advantage. Especially if Blackwing is an anthropomorphic now, we need something that can move as quickly and nimbly as him. Shining Armor, it has been a pleasure to know you, even if it started off bad. I am glad that you and I have become close friends,” Anthony said, sticking out his hoof. Shining Armor ignored the hoof and hugged Anthony, startling him. Shining broke off and looked at him.

“Don’t tell anyone, got it?” Shining said, earning a smile from Anthony.

“You got it. Now get to the front of the army, that’s an order.” Shining saluted and left, trying to catch up to Queen Chrysalis. Anthony chuckled as Shining left. Anthony turned to Scarlet and started to walk toward another destination, Scarlet following behind him.

Anthony turned a corner and was quickly enveloped in a light of pure magic, blinding Scarlet as she caught up to him. When the light died down, the unicorn was gone and was replaced by a tall human. The man looked around and then at Scarlet, a small smile creeping onto his face.

“Ready to get this party started?” Anthony asked, earning a smile from Scarlet.

“You bet,” she said.

Canterlot Castle

Princess Celestia was enjoying her morning tea, reading over some of the minor reports that crossed her path. Luna had already gone to sleep and was not around give Celestia some company. She kept reading as she levitated some the tea cup to her lips and drank.

The door to the private dining chamber opened for one of Celestia’s assistants, a white unicorn with a cream mane. She was holding a message for the princess, but said nothing as she feared Celestia’s wrath.

“Yes, what is it?” Celestia said, looking up from her reports.

“A message has arrived. I don’t know who it is from, just that it is marked ‘Important’,” the assistant said, levitating it to the princess.

“Fine, you may go,” Celestia said, taking the letter. The assistant left the room without another word.

Celestia opened the letter and read it:

Celestia finished reading the letter and instantly got up. She walked out of the room and headed straight to the war room. Inside she found a sight of multiply unicorn lieutenants fighting over what they wanted to say. They did not notice Celestia walk in until she spoke.

“What is the meaning of this?” Celestia spoke with anger in her voice. The room fell silent. “Why was it that I was the last one informed about the movement of our enemy?”

“We’re sorry Princess, but we were also informed just a few minutes ago. Princess Luna is being informed now, so she will soon join us,” one of the lieutenants said. He had a gray coat with a red mane. He stood as tall as possible, but was still shorter than Celestia.

“Fine, but I need to be informed before you,” Celestia demanded, exerting more power in her voice.

“Yes, Princess,” the LT said, just as Luna walked in.

“This is becoming a habit. I need to sleep, or there might be complications with my pregnancy,” Luna said, not looking at Celestia but knowing she was there. Luna’s mane was in knots, un-flowing and un-regal. He belly was even larger than the last time council was held.

“Yes, Princess. This is just urgent news.”

“I know, but it is still not healthy. Am I to assume that this meeting is to decide what to happen next?” Luna said, yawning after her question.

“Yes, Princess. Blackwing has advised us to build our army to protect from the changelings that get through. I believe-” the lieutenant started to say but was rudely cut off by Luna.

“Blackwing can go die in whatever hole he crawled out of. We need to gather our army, but not to combat changelings. No, we need it to protect us from Blackwing’s demons. They are the real danger, not the changelings,” Luna said, her sleepiness leaving her body quickly.

“Oh, really sister. And just gave you that notion that Blackwing is against us? He has given us advice and has said that he will back us in any confrontation. What proof do you have that he wants otherwise?” Celestia questioned, thinking she had her sister cornered.

“Because I know evil. Don’t you remember I was at one time Nightmare Moon? I can sense evil, and he reeks of it. The only reason you agree with him is because you are a weak-minded fool who is under his influence. I know who I belong with, and I’ll be damned if I choose the other side,” Luna said, standing as tall as possible. Her mane tried to flow, but it was too knotted. Some in the room wondered how it got that messy just from an hour of sleep.

“Well then, sister, if you really feel that way, than I fear there is no other choose than to remove you. Princess Luna, I deem you a threat to Canterlot and her population. Since you have chosen to join with the enemy, I cannot release you so as to add your power to them. I will have you placed in Canterlot Prison until such time that this conflict is over and your punishment can be discussed in full. Guards take her away,” Celestia said, fire building in her eyes. The guards were hesitant to move though.

They knew that they had to follow Princess Celestia’s orders, but they also knew how it would look take a pregnant princess to the dark, unkempt dungeon. They also knew the power behind Luna, and what she could do when angered. The guards were also in a tug-of-war on which princess to follow. The guard was completely split on the issue, half for Luna and half for Celestia. The guards just stood still, not knowing what to do.

“Guards! I said ‘Take her away,’” Celestia said, fuming.

“Well, well. This is something I thought I would never see. The guards don’t know who to follow. Do they follow the younger princess who has been nothing but kind to them, or do they pick the older princess who is making a grab for more power each day and is neglecting those who she works directly with? Do they choose the thousand year reign, or do they pick the new generation? What will they choose? At the moment, we don’t know. But they will eventually have to choose, and who do you think they’ll pick? Me or You?” Luna said, knowing she had hit a massive nerve in Celestia. She didn’t care, knowing that this would all be over in a few days.

“How dare you talk to me like that, you insignificant insect. I have been in charge of this nation for a thousand years, while you have been banished on the moon. You then come back and have become some slut, sleeping a somepony we didn’t even know and getting pregnant. How is that better for the future?” Celestia said, unknowing that she had actually made the situation worse for her. “If you do not renounce this human as the real hero, then I will force to take you to the dungeon myself.”

“So you will use threats and terror on a pregnant mare just because she does not agree with you and your regime. I can’t believe how far you have fallen, Celestia. You used to be the pride of Equestria, the leader to all. Everypony looked up to you, and now their idol has fallen to a depth that she may never come back from. So what will you do? Will you take me in to keep your power over the citizens, or will you stop and reconsider what is best for every party involved?” Luna asked, trying to keep this from turning into a fight. The Lunar Princess thought she got through as Celestia softened up a little, but it was quickly squashed by what her sister said next.

“I knew it was a mistake to allow you back to Equestria. And now you are trying to undermine my authority. I see that you are the one blind, not I. Guards, I want you to escort Luna back to her room. She is not leave and none are to visit her. I will deal with her after this incident with the changelings is taken care of,” Celestia ordered, an evil smile on her face.

“Fine then, if you are going to be this way, then I hope Anthony doesn’t stop Blackwing right away. I hope he allows Blackwing to begin his revenge on you, for you are no longer my sister. You are nothing more than an empty shell of my Tia, and for that I hope Blackwing is not gently when he starts,” Luna’s last words rang in the room as she was escorted out. Silence followed after the last words stopped echoing.

“Rally the troops, the changelings are coming. Captain, I want you to send a detail to retrieve the Element of Harmony. I believe it would be in our best interest if the changelings didn’t get them. I can’t believe they would want to fight though so close to winter,” Celestia said, walking out of the room. She felt as though she had done something good, but in reality she was setting herself up to fail.

Everfree Forest: Middle of the Night

The changeling army was moving at a steady pace, nothing daring to get in their path. Sleep and food were not an issue, so stopping was not involved. The only ones who would have needed to stop were Shining Armor and his squad, but that was alleviated quickly. Shining was asleep in a massive saddle that was attached around Fluffy’s spine. The only ones awake on the massive dinosaur Anthony, up at the front of the saddle. Anthony was holding the reigns to the extinct creature, making sure it didn’t try to eat any changelings.

Anthony knew that by the middle of the next day that the changelings would be exiting the Everfree Forest. Queen Chrysalis and he had made a plan that dawn would be the time to attack, and the third day would be enough for Blackwing to arrive so they may fight without having to waste any time. Anthony scowled as he thought of Blackwing, being free to do whatever he wanted to for the past eight months with no hindrance from Celestia. Fluffy released a low growl as Scarlet flew up to him.

“Anything new?” Anthony asked, holding the reigns to the dinosaur.

“No, we’re still moving on schedule. This seems too easy,” Scarlet voiced, earning a chuckle from Anthony.

“This is supposed to be easy. The hard part isn’t until we fight, then it gets difficult,” Anthony said, his demeanor not what Scarlet had grown accustomed to in the past two months. The joy was gone from his voice and only the need for fighting was evident.

“I guess, never really been in a full scale battle before. Have you?” Scarlet asks.

“Yes and no. I’ve been in a massive fight between with strong forces, but I also have the memories of the full-scale war that this form has been in. I know what it’s like to lose people in war, but I have not personally experienced it. I guess that I will be soon,” Anthony said, looking forward and going silent.

The rest of the trip was uneventful, the path to Canterlot open. Camp was made just on the outskirts of the city, tents and fires dotted the land. In the far distance, another camp could be seen. Snow was the only thing between to two. Anthony sighed as he observed it with the magnification setting in his helmet. Blackwing appeared to be doing the same thing, looking at the Spartan with an evil grin on his face.

Anthony turned the setting off and went to coordinate with Chrysalis and Shining Armor. He walked into the command tent to find Chrysalis and Shining once more in an argument on troop placement. Scarlet was just standing, hoping the two would eventually stop and real work could be done. Anthony didn’t feel like having to wait for them.

“Stop, both of you! This is not what we are supposed to be doing. We are supposed to be controlling an army, not biting each others' heads off. Now STOP!” Anthony said with enough force that half the camp froze. Everypony looked in the direction of the tent, not wanting to be the ones in trouble. “Thank you.”

He walked up to the table that had a map of the outskirts of Canterlot. Points were marked on were each of the armies stood at the moment, and a possible point of meeting. Scarlet took her place next to the Spartan, knowing he was the one to get this meeting moving in the right direction.

“Okay, so what plans have we made so far?” Anthony asked.

“They have gotten as far as where the battle will take place,” Scarlet said, a little worried.

“Better than I hoped,” the super-soldier said, looking down at the map. “All right, so I say we...” for the next two hours, the group worked out the placement at there of their troops. They only had to stop three times because of disagreements between Shining Armor and Queen Chrysalis.

After the plans were in place, everyone went off to their respective tents. Anthony and Scarlet chose that night to make love so as to say good bye before the coming storm. Chrysalis laid in her tent, pondering on what would happen if they were to lose. And Shining Armor laid in bed thinking of Cadance and how close but so far they were that night. Luna did not visit anyone that night, her being unable to because of her sister.

The new dawn was an hour away, but that did not keep the busyness of camp down. All the changelings and unicorns were up and moving around, all getting orders from their Lieutenants. Anthony stood at a point so he could watch Blackwing's camp come alive with movement.

He has the same plan then, rise before dawn and be done before night. Anthony thought, looking out at his enemies camp. Canterlot stood quiet, Celestia not mobilizing her forces. She must think that Blackwing has this under control, or she has finally snapped and is not running her military properly. Luna said that her sister was close to the breaking.

Scarlet was beside her mother, helping to coordinate the changelings to there stations. They were speaking in changeling, so Anthony was unable to listen. He looked over and found Shining Armor getting his squad ready. He was giving a very good speech, not that they needed it. They knew what they were about to do. The super-soldier looked back out at Blackwing's camp and hoped that today would not yield as much blood shied as was possible.

He was still looking out as the sun moved over the horizon, the first rays of day settling on the snow covered ground. He stood to his full height and removed his assault rifle from his back. He was the first out as the Horns of War sounded.

Author's Notes:

Hey. sorry for not updating in forever. i had some personal issues to work out, then last week i had to send my computer in to get repaired. i am only able to write this on a junk computer that cant even be fully updated because of something retarded. i'm going way to far off topic. now i know that this chapter is not as long as some f my others, but that is because i said what i had to.

Now the next part will be three chapters, all happening at the same time. i will post all three at the same time, so you can just ready what you want or all three to get a full rounded battle.

please rate and review, and could you keep any flames to a minimum, one of my others stories is take some heat because of closed-minded flamethrowers.