Fluttershy watched in amazement as Grievous' arms attached themselves back together with a quiet 'click.' He magnetically attached the lightsabers to his waist so he could he reach them easier as he had the feeling they weren't safe yet.

“Get on my back,” he commanded vigorously, the antenna that ran down the right side of his skull like head whirred slightly as he detected the faint sound of Ulrik beginning to stir and regain his composure.

“Are you sure?” The shy Pegasus asked with a blush at his demand. Grievous groaned in brief annoyance and grasped her by the scruff and held her behind his head until he saw her forelegs wrap around his collar bone region, just bellow the neck.

“Hold on.”

- - - -

The new group of Changelings were hissing excitedly and their lips peeled back in feral grins, their insect like wings buzzing loudly and melded together with their hisses and angry snarls. Kicking up massive amounts of dust in the process. They would approach the bar soon enough and in their minds would be avenging their fallen brethren.

The left window's glass exploded into dangerous shards as General Grievous crashed through feet first and landed perfectly, knees centimeters from the ground allowing him to leap to the side and land a building's rooftop.

“Blast them!” A Changeling bellowed furiously, “don't let them escape!”

Green beams shot off into the sky as they aimed for the cyborg and his yellow companion. Fluttershy yelped and clutched Grievous tighter when a bright beam grazed the building's rim causing small bits of wood to fly up everywhere. Grievous grunted, dropping down to all fours and ran, his long and powerful legs propelling him forward at rapid speed, aided by his strong arms serving as an extra boost make him go even faster than usual.

Lasers rained down around them as he continued leaping from building to building. Having to dart and twist himself aside in time to make sure Fluttershy wouldn't be injured.

'All this just to save a damn pony!?' The warlord thought to himself incredulously, here he was, saving a nervous pony who had wings yet could barely fly. He sprang onto the rooftop of the next building in sight, it was smaller than the other so his impact created a small crater and for a moment he thought they might fall through.

'Why do I even care if she lives or dies?' Grievous flipped to the left, spiraling through the buzzing air with surprising grace; keeping his arms close to his chest and quickly spreading them out for balance when he landed.

'Because,' he answered himself while swatting a persistent Changeling aside like an over sized fanged gnat, 'she is my..friend.' The word felt foreign to his battle hardened mind. He hadn't thought of anyone as a friend after Ronderu died...Ronderu...

True he had allies, but not friends.

'Stupid ponies!' Grievous roared mentally at his emotional battle. He knew the six ponies liked him despite his foul temperament and his rage.

He broke a Changeling's neck by punching it across the cheek when he charged by. He heard Fluttershy whimper in disgust and horror at the violence. That sound was something he would've enjoyed hearing, fear and disgust at his casual display of violence; but this time it made him feel somewhat guilty. Not about killing, that he enjoyed immensely...it was the fact that he had inadvertently caused pain to his friend.

'GRAGH! Stop using that word!' He lividly scorned himself for even thinking the word 'Friend.'

He landed on the dust covered earth and ran straight ahead...a large group of Changelings were blocking his way to the train.

Time seemed to slow for the terrified Fluttershy, who's muscles had began to ache from how tightly she was holding onto Grievous' metal body. Her eyes scrunched shut when he pushed himself upward with his hands. As his feet went up into the air his hands grasped his lightsabers tightly, splitting his arms into four as he began his descent onto his metal feet. The glowing blades ignited simultaneously and he sprang forward.

The lightsabers spun rapidly all at once causing the Changelings to scatter like pigeons, their blasts flying randomly in all directions; some of which even connected with and killed their fellow drone. Others were deflected by the whirring blades...and a few of the either brave or stupid Changelings who attempted to assault Grievous were butchered immediately, their eerie but short screams echoed all around and severed body parts landed solidly on the chaotic battlefield.

The group dispersed long enough for Grievous to get within view of the train. Blasts of purple and sapphire blue shot past the cyborg and struck any Changeling who still dared to pursue.

Twilight Sparkle and Rarity ushered Grievous and Fluttershy towards them without even really noticing his arms reconnecting.

“Hurry!” Rarity shouted in a panicked tone and shot a drone squarely in the face.

Grievous grunted and lept over their horned heads and safely into the now very crowded train car. The two unicorns barely made it inside when the doors shut firmly behind them.

The train had begun to roll forward with a great rumble and a piercingly loud whistle blow. Fluttershy was eased off Grievous by Rainbow Dash while the Appleloosa survivors began swarming over to him all the while thanking him and feverishly attempting to hug him...a few mares even tried kissing him.

Grievous stumbled back into a seat frustratedly and finally gave a halfhearted swipe at those who came close.

“Is there anything we can do for you sir? Anything you can think of at all that we can do for you?” A grateful stallion spoke for the group.

“Two things. One, stop trying to hug me, and two...”

They all waited in anticipation.

“Get this damn sand out of my joints!”

- - - -

The corridor was dimly lit by torches and looked rather damp and gave off a rather eerie feeling to strangers that ventured in it. The only sound other than the flickering fires was the loudly clacking hooves of the self proclaimed Changeling King, Craw. His walk was brisk and impatient, the two Changeling guards that saw him approaching stood up a little straighter, hoping their dark black helmets were polished perfectly as Craw was very meticulous about the physical appearance of his followers. However he barely regarded them and simply pushed open the massive gray door in front of him.

Its creak resonated throughout the cave and when the door slammed shut both of the guard's ears went down and they winced.

- - - -

King Craw held his head higher in this corridor, and unlike his previous location it was very lavish and quite beautiful. Red, soft carpet that was cleaned daily. The rocky walls had been carved down to smooth perfection and not a speck of dust could be seen.

The Hall of Kings and Queens.

What a fitting title it was.

Adorning the walls of both sides of the corridor were gorgeous oil paintings of past Changeling leaders. To the right were the kings and to the left were the queens, all looking majestic and noble with stern or perhaps even menacing expressions.

Craw began his walk down the corridor with his chin held up, not that anyone else was there to see him but to Craw himself it was immensely satisfying. Here he was, a Changeling not of royal blood line and yet he was king, just like the very first Changeling leaders; when fighting and claiming dominance over challengers was the path to power...not simply being lucky enough to be born into a certain family! He stopped walking and shifted his red eyes to the left and the final picture thus far in the corridor.

Queen Chrysalis.

Intelligent, beautiful, but never the less cold hearted. Craw's relationship with her former majesty was a long and confusing one. The wall behind him was blank, Chrysalis had never chosen a king...one of only five Changeling leaders to have never chosen a mate. True, she'd had a few lovers but never a king. Craw had at one point had hoped it would've been him.

Craw had originally been a member of the royal guard...when Chrysalis' grandfather was in power...it was at that point when things had begun to take a turn for the worse. He was an incompetent ruler who'd rather sit there on his throne all day instead of run his kingdom...it disgusted Craw that he had at one point had protected him.

Then there was Chrysalis father and it was in those years craw had become captain of the guard.

He smirked to himself when he remember how Chrysalis had chosen Shining Armor as her target to drain and hypnotize to infiltrate Canterlot in what was undoubtedly the largest Changeling campaign ever.

'Just another one of her failures.'

Craw had been specifically assigned by her parents to watch over her, and yes he had cared for the lonely Changeling princess. Watching over her and guiding her...in fact when she became an adult he even found himself growing attracted to her...but soon her failures made him hate her as much as he had hated her predecessors and had only desired her because of the opportunity for power.  

Like most Changelings he'd come from simple beginnings and had observed how the incompetence of royalty could effect those beneath them.

And then Chrysalis herself had taken over, true, she was indeed an excellent leader but whenever she failed it was always devastating. His fellow Changelings were suffering, starving and dying...rebellion had been in his mind since Chrysalis' grandfather but one night; after a bit too much alcohol he'd gone into a tirade about how much of a failure those in charge were. How a Changeling who knew the true way of the commoners should rule. It almost seemed like a stroke of luck that they agreed.

Craw had caught himself hoping Chrysalis' invasion of Canterlot failed as he'd spent precious months building up a rebellion and too his joy she had failed.

Looking at her picture he relived that night perfectly in his mind.

- - - -

Craw's twisted horn flashed bright red as a burst of powerful magic blew apart the doors to the throne room. The doors were scorched and hung off their hinges as he and his rebellion marched in determinedly, Chrysalis stood with her mouth agape for a few moments before she revealed her fury. Her wings buzzing loudly like a giant bee as she hovered over them.

“CRAW! What is the meaning of this-”

She never got a chance to finish her sentence as a jagged bolt of magic struck her squarely in the chest and sent her smacking hard into the stone wall behind her, her impact on the ground creating a few small cracks.

Craw did not laugh, in fact he could hardly remember the last time he laughed but his thin black lips curled up in a eerie grin.

“Your failures to your subjects have cost you dearly FORMER Queen Chrysalis,” his hollow voice was mild mannered as usual but held a hint of icy venom within it.

Wearily Chrysalis stood up, weakened by her loss at Canterlot and Craw's unexpected attack. Chrysalis let out a hacking cough but her own jagged horn began to glow green.

“This isn't about that time I rejected your offer to be my king is it Craw?” She grinned tauntingly. Craw's left ear twitched briefly but he went on with his prepared speech.

“We will no longer tolerate your failures and now it is time for a new age. An age led by one who has learned from the mistakes of royalty and succeed where you could not.”

Chrysalis was silent for a moment before she replied.

“Do you rehearse in front of mirror or was that just bad improvisation?”

Both fired. Red met green in a brilliant burst of light causing both Chrysalis and Craw to squint and the other Changelings to shield their eyes.

BOOM!

The light filled the room, the entire cave shook as its walls were blown away and the roof had begun to rumble.

- - - -

“Clever job though your former majesty,” Craw spoke to the picture coldly, “bringing in that monster to do your dirty work. I'm lucky to have those assassins on my side, they will be useful for what I have planned next...”

Tomorrow final preparations would begin and soon he would lead his first campaign as king.

He grinned in an almost demented way as he exited The Hall of Kings and Queens. Next Chapter: Canterlot Estimated time remaining: 53 Minutes