Arc 4: War For The Sun
“In two months, we begin our march to Canterlot and begin The War for The Sun.”
In the throne room, a massive table was put in front of the throne, with a blown-up map of the Kingdom of Equestria covering it. Sitting around the map was Commander Scorpion, Intelligencer Ocelli, General Aphid, General Labrum, and the various Captains of the minor Legions.
Assembled outside of the seated area were the various Colonels and officers assigned to the Legions who would need to be privy to today’s meeting.
Queen Chrysalis sat high up in her throne, with Chamberlain Eucharis and myself in front and to her sides.
I continued my presentation of the war plans to the assembled hierarchy.
“Phase one, The Promised Day. The Equestria’s Lament will be taking out Canterlot with the aid of The Praetorians, the majority of The First Infiltrator Legion, the Panar’s Hammer, the Will of The Nine, the Underhive Scarabs, and division attachments from the Eleventh and Twelfth, Chosen Conquerors and Hive’s Finest.”
I TKed up stone pieces representing each Legions and placed them on the map.
“The Doom of The East will be responsible for the East Coast. With them will be the Bombardier Beetles and attachments from the Eleventh and Twelfth.”
I moved the mentioned Legions over to the East Coast.
“The Blackened Skies are responsible for the West push. To aid them, the Imminent Swarm and attachments from the Eleventh and Twelfth, as usual.”
Finally, I pushed those Legions to the West, by their targets.
“For the initial push, The First Infiltrators will be taking out border emplacements. Then, it is up to the legion to capture the towns along the way. By the Promised Day, Equestria’s Lament and the attached Legions will be in position to begin the siege of Canterlot. Each division assigned has a purpose they have been training for. And so, each of your Colonels will be given targets within Canterlot itself that you are responsible for taking down. Barracks, guard emplacements, districts, and so on. The Princesses, Queen Chrysalis and I will take down.”
The changelings present took notes and I continued with the next stage of the invasion.
“Phase two, Capitulation. Once Canterlot has fallen, and the first cities on the East and West have as well, the central push will move on from Canterlot. Underhive Scarabs will stay garrisoned in Canterlot as the Chosen Conquerors work on subduing the city.
“Half of Equestria’s Lament will move north, engaging any forces in the region after the capture of Cloudsdale. Aiding them will be Will of The Nine and Imminent Swarm, who will break off from the Western push after Los Pegasus has fallen.
“Blackened Skies will continue to take objectives, ending their path in the northern city of Vanhoover.
“With the fall of Baltimare, the Doom of The East will press north through Fillydelphia, all the way to Manehattan. This is expected to be the longest part of the invasion, and so half of Equestria’s Lament as well as the entirety of Panar’s Hammer will split off to aid the capitulation of these cities.
“Finally, with the last pony city captured, our Legions will be in prime position to repel foreign invaders from the East, in case the Griffons decide they want to aid Equestria. Any questions so far?”
Captain Obturator asked, “Projected friendly casualties?”
“Projected casualties are lower than ten percent for the Canterlot push. The East and West push will depend on how much of the Equestrian Royal Guard command is captured in Canterlot. If more than seventy five percent, then it is expected that Equestria will capitulate within a month with negligible losses.
“As we are using primarily stun spells against the ponies, casualties are expected to be concentrated within the Royal Guard. Capturing their high command as early as possible is of paramount importance. The quicker they are taken, the less effective the defense of Canterlot will be.”
The Swarm commanders held quiet conversations amongst themselves. A few voiced questions loud enough for me to hear and respond to.
“We’re going to get all the way to Canterlot before revealing ourselves?”
I nodded, “Surprise will be our greatest weapon. That, and fear. The other two Line Legions will begin the trek along their routes, but Canterlot will fall before they reach their first major cities on their path.”
“Is it not possible to capture VIPs using the Infiltrator Legion before the invasion?”
“It was decided that replacing them before the invasion would create a risk of discovery. Instead, the highest targets of the Royal Guard will be taken down just as the invasion arrives, to minimize chances of discovery of the Infiltrators and their aiding Legions.”
“How will the pony population be controlled once Equestria falls?”
I glanced at Queen Chrysalis.
“The Chosen Conquerors will be handling that issue,” was all she said in her usual ambiguous fashion.
“Any plans for feeding the Swarm in the meantime?”
“Supply caches will be created during and before the invasion,” I answered. “These love caches will be used to feed the Swarm, especially in the worst-case scenario of a protracted siege.”
General Labrum scoffed, “So we’ll be putting our entire food supply in front of the Swarm, and have them run up to it?”
Chrysalis smiled, “We’re already doing that. The ponies are the end all be all.”
When no more questions came up, I moved on.
“Phase three, Consolidation. The Chosen Conquerors will have detailed instructions for each Legion to carry out when it comes to corralling and capturing any ponies that have fled from population centers under changeling control.
“Examples of such instructions would be the establishment of checkpoints, the destruction of key infrastructure, and the infiltration of rebel and refugee bands. Should the entirety of the Royal Guard high command be captured at this point, resistance is expected to be scarce and scattered. So ends the Kingdom of Equestria.”
Queen Chrysalis rose from her throne and immediately all seated changelings rose as well.
“My subjects. This is the beginning of a new era for our species. The War For The Sun shall change the face of Equus forever, and we shall finally be at the top. As it is woven, so it shall be!”
“As it is woven, so it shall be!” The assembled changelings echo.
As the changelings started to file out, I gave a discrete nod to Labrum and Aphid.
“A lot is riding on Canterlot’s capitulation,” Aphid pointed out.
We stood close to each other in the cold storage room. The rest of the Lodge organizers were present. The First Fang, too.
“Yes. If it does not fall, the linchpin operation and assumptions of the invasion plan falls apart. As expected, if the Princesses are not captured, the invasion will not succeed.”
“Are there not any backup plans to make sure the Princesses don’t escape?”
“We will have an encirclement of the city but there are far too many possible exits to cover everything. No, I’m afraid not, Labrum. Our chiefest and greatest weapon is surprise. Should Equestria survive the initial blow at Canterlot, the invasion will most likely be scrapped. We will pod as many ponies as we can, and make off. However, there is expected to be reprisal counter-attacks by Equestria. We… will not survive those if they find the hive.”
“Why even make off with podded ponies then? Surely we can just regroup and try again.”
“Because…” I trailed off.
“Because what, Phas?” Thorax motioned for me to continue.
‘Time for the bombshell Chrysalis finally told me about.’
“The hive will run out of food within four months.”
‘Yeah, let’s keep our species' imminent collapse a secret. Talk about a hidden Damocles Sword!’
Many Lodge members gasped at the revelation, but some nodded, already suspecting the ultimatum.
“This is our species last huzzah, our last gambit for our species' survival in this world. If we fail here, we’re done.”
Weevil, my most loyal contact within the Praetorians, just got angry.
“Why tha’ hell did Chryssy not launch this invasion sooner? Why did she wait for the last second before shoving all of this onto your shoulders?!”
The room erupted into a sudden argument.
“How long has she said that she always had the best intentions–”
“Panar damn it! She’ll kill us all!”
“–our fates on a nymph less than a year–”
“ENOUGH!” I commanded verbally and through the Weave as I stomped a hoof. “Queen Chrysalis, by all rights, should have not left the invasion until the last possible second. She should have. She did not.”
The arguments started to rise again, but I cut them off.
“It is clear that she cannot be trusted! By leaving all of us in the dark, especially myself, the mastermind of the invasion plans, she jeopardizes everything by risking missing important details paramount to the survival of our species. By leaving this to the last second, she puts the fate of our species up to chance. The chance that the plan succeeds and Canterlot falls as expected, with the Princesses in tow. She puts our species’ survival to chance!”
Now the Lodge members were outright yelling their outrage.
“–a fucking diceroll!”
“–that son of a–”
“What can we even do?”
‘And now, for the main event!’
“It is our duty to safeguard the future of our species! In her attempts to hoard power and control, Queen Chrysalis must be checked, lest her errant irresponsibility doom us all! As such, I have assembled a plan to peacefully check Queen Chrysalis’s radical misuse of powers entrusted by the hive to her. I will present her with a list of our demands once Canterlot has fallen, and she will have no choice but to accept them.”
“What are our demands?” Aphid asked.
‘Control the conversation.’
“No more grand secrets that put the hive in danger. No more executing changelings for any reason. No more ultimate control over what each changeling must be. We demand free choice of occupation. We demand a restriction on her powers. We demand an end to her tyranny!”
Coxa, as we planned, asked, “What if she refuses?”
“With Equestria capitulated, she will have no way to refuse our demands. We will not jeopardize the invasion, nor will we approach her with open hostility if she is willing to accept our demands. However, we must plan for every outcome. Queen Chrysalis is loyal to herself first, the hive second. She will try to worm her way out by any means.”
‘Chrysalis, if it comes down to it, I am prepared to risk everything. Are you?’
“So, we must be prepared to remove the existential threat to the hive that sits upon the throne. With the Princesses taken down, she serves no purpose but continuously put the hive at risk with her arrogance.
“For the hive eternal, nothing can come between us and survival! We shall hope that she sees reason, but must be ready to act against the traitor, Queen Chrysalis!”
‘But of course, we’re the loyal ones, not you!’
“For the greater good!”
“The greater good!” The First Fang echo, with some Lodge members joining in.
The Promised Day inched closer and closer with each passing day. Coming quick at a blitzing pace while also slowly dragging itself forward.
‘Things will finally change around here. The time will come to test our mettle, both the hive’s and mine. I must be ready.’
Some good news, Coxa signaled that the backup operation was in place.
Some bad news, Chrysalis wanted to talk with me. Actually, the exact words were that she will talk to me immediately.
‘Ominous as high hell. If a Lodge member squealed, I’ll pass the treachery off as baseless rumor, like how changelings think I ordered the execution of someone. I’ve been nothing but loyal, why would I ever consider betraying Chrysalis?’
I entered the throne room from the main gates, having come from the training room I used in the Legion spires.
Queen Chrysalis was sitting upon her throne, Eucharis by her side, whispering to her.
‘Wormtongue.’
“You called for me, Queen Chrysalis?”
“Prince Phasmatodea.”
‘Oh fuck, my full name. That is never a good sign’
“Do not think that I am watching your actions, Prince Phasmatodea. I have received word that a disappearance of love has been connected to your office.”
“You received word of a subordinate of mine stealing love?”
“Do you deny this?”
‘Do I? No, I bet I can get away with it but everyone makes mistakes. Even better, if I was perfect all the time, that would just cause her to suspect me more. By accepting the blame now, I can maybe avoid her suspecting treachery later.’
“No, mother. I... I do not. I gave the okay.”
Queen Chrysalis silently glared at me. I started to shuffle around on my hooves, feeling uncomfortable.
‘I bet you can drill a hole through steel with that stare.’
“M– err… I can explain?”
She said nothing, but her gaze said enough.
“Well, you see, I was… Uh…”
‘My, what an interesting floor. I think I’ll stare at it instead.’
“No explanation will be good enough?”
“No.”
I purposely flinched.
“What… now?”
‘I know you can’t go through with the normal punishment of exile. You need me, ha!’
“We are so close to the promised day. Losing control just before the pounce will cost you your prey, Prince Phasmatodea.”
“Have you ever even gone hunting?”
“Irrelevant. All of our actions have consequences, Prince Phasmatodea. By stealing love from the hive, you put at risk the trust the drones have in us. To keep your hooves on the ground, I place burdens on your shoulders.”
‘That’s actually true. As long as the Lodges don’t find out, everything is fine. I could say that if a Lodge member gets banished, I created this backup plan to save them. They might see it as risking the hive for the life of one changeling, though. Hmmm.’
“Are you even listening?”
“Yes, Mother.”
‘I’ll need to come up with something convincing to tell the Lodge, just in case. This really hurts Chrysalis too if it leaks, but if anything can go wrong…’
“I don't think you are. You are dismissed, Prince Phasmatodea. We will resume this talk later, when you are most definitely listening.”
‘I can say I am capable of making mistakes, and finding out that Chrysalis murders her children has made me a bit rash. Drop that bombshell on them and reveal that I’ve been inside the vault. Wait, did I just miss another ominous threat?’
“As you command, Mother.”
I slowly paced my way to my room, not looking at her out of shame.
‘Not that I’m actually ashamed. Afraid, a little bit, but not ashamed. Whatever you are up to, I will survive.’
I chuckled quietly as I shut the door to my study behind me.
‘But can you survive what I’m up to?’
I quietly sang to myself, “Do Svidaniya, Chrysalis, Your Grace! Farewell!”
Well well well, looks like he’s starting to want that power for himself
As good as always
Happy hearth's warming eve by the way
You know? This whole thing has deep implications! Because their must be reason...other then stupidity that Chrysalsis does what she does.
I wonderis Celestia is his father or something? I know. It sounds silly? But, whom else is would givr the most emotional reveal?
Another changeling we dont know? Really Celestia is the best option
Ah, so the bug is a communist!
This may not necessarily be true.
Depending on what the minimum viable population is for changelings, letting a large proportion of the hive die (like, say, in an invasion) would mean more food and easier sustainability for those who survive (especially Chrysalis).
"Little ponies/Chryssy beware, Prince Phasma's awaaake!"
10597970
We still don't know if it is a biological imperative in all royals. He, should, be a better ruler if nothing else.
IN THE DARK IF THE NIGHT
WEEVIL WILL FIND HER
sorry
Welcome everyone to Arc 4, the part where shit happens.
Happy Hearth's Warming!
10598000
I have my PPE ready.
Hit me with the shit.
Merry Christmas!
Now, normally explaining a plan causes it to fail, but the unknown element that screws it over is in fact quite aggressively known to the reader, the first-person narrator, and nobody else.
…Actually, even Phasma doesn't know that Celestia won't be in Canterlot that day, does he? She'll be heading to Ponyville for her appearance there, only to be intercepted en route by Nightmare Moon.
Thank you for the excellent Chapter! I wanted to clarify about the chrysalis throne does it also work?
Spasibo za otsilky v konze glavi!
Буду ждать продолжение!
10598097
you forgot one detail of the plan, the part where Chrysalis manipulate things to kill Phasma which is only vaguely mentioned.
Especially the sus part of when the fact that gryphons would willingly help equestria or maybe even stage 2.
then again there's Phasma surprise attack.
She's never going to see it coming.
10598157
You're assuming that Chrysalis doesn't already assume that he'd turn traitor. Rumor already exists that his predecessors attempted to turncoat and ended up being recycled. So truth or not, it's already planned...
SHUT IT!
I'm sorry, i couldn't resist
I figured the reason for the push was imminent starvation. Now we have confirmation. Too bad they never had a chance to look into alternative means of gathering food. The other choices, grim though they are, are a lottery. Those who get the lucky draw, get food, and culling the excess population. Although at this point, if the invasion fails and they're exposed, it's sort of a moot point. Death comes for the hive, one way or another.
I had really figured that little blip about the termite from last chapter would have resulted in something, I'm surprised we never heard more of it.
We never did find out what was in that second vault, did we? What secrets lie within, I wonder?
The question is, who is the bigger backstabber? Will Phasma betray Nightmare Moon first, or Nightmare Moon betray Phasma first? I don't see it ending without one betraying the other.
10598157
Another reason we already knew the plan wasn't going to work and therefore didn't need it explained to us.
10598000
I've restarted lessening to the Horus Heresy books because of you. If the Hive is a mix of Eldar and the Imperium, will the other races have representation? what possible race could become the Orks?
10598218
I might be unthinking this chrysalis, but perhaps based on that knowledge that she said her plan to Phasma, but in reality her real plan is something else. Something that he doesn't need to know because it would lead to his death, not the first time she told changelings what they needed to know, but not what they wanted to know.
10598314
unless the real plan is to deal with Phasma, so him knowing about the original plan is within Chrysalis plan of kill two birds with one stone.
I'd like to point out, that a captor or two ago it said there was four months left till the invasion. However, was Phasma 8 months old at that time. So now that would mean he is 10 months old with two months left to the invasion. So that begs, is the invasion on his hatch day?
I'd also like to know who this person was before they died, they seem to know a of war tactics and the like. But also be highly skilled in other areas. Like damn Phasma is 10X smarter then me.
10598346
None. The Weave's core concept was inspired by the Webway, and Phasma's reformations and plotting has parallels to the Horus Heresy, but otherwise everything is original / MLP.
10598371
He was born around end of September, the invasion is end of June. That chapter with the quote took place in March. This chapter takes place in late April / early May.
Phasma should be around 9 months old during the Promised Day if I did my math right. I might not have, I have actually failed to count to nine once before in this fic.
10598275
Fear not, things will happen, questions will be answered, spears will be shaken, shields will be splintered.
10598436
I bestow upon you flaccid bone syndrome. I ma a merciful asshole, though, so I only made your teeth flaccid. Good luck.
10597994
Wouldn’t be surprised if it was, something is definitely causing it though.
10598257
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WA5uEYqpZPw
Chrysalis really get herself in a bad situationen waiting so long to fix the Hive problems.
"Victory or extinction" is one hell of a battlecry but ones the imidiate danger is over her grip on the hive will be thin
Great chapter
10598979
Somewhat more clear...
10598097
This will be one hell of a night/day.
10597991
13:15 - 19:00 is basicly roughly this story on overview almost one to one i guess?
10598357
Phasma is a protige like no one before him. I think she dont plan on killing him. Rather at worst use him as scapegoat after there hive is in the safe again. Example:
They try peaceful lifestyle after returning Equestria partaly to self gavourment or make em a vasal state.
10599028
I have chrysalis bias towards her being anything but a monster that needs to die, due to another fic called 'I'm not twilight sparkle.'
I don't see Phasma killing her due to emotional ties to one's parents unless she was planning on killing him which would leave him with no choice but to kill her.
10599150
In some fics Chrysalis is the best Waifu one cold wish for. In others she is as heartless bitch. I can recommend some.
Cloudsdale*
10600920
Obsolete Changeling info perhaps?
10600920
10600928
Stupid ponies with their pony names. It's fixed now.
I was most definitely not listening to a song from Need For Speed Underground 2. Nope. Can't prove it.
also:
Hehe.
10606306
No one noticed the title...
Aside from the lyrics of Riders On The Storm having a lot to do with Phasma, there's one little tidbit that makes it the perfect title:
The b-side track is The Changeling
10606306
Need For Speed 2's soundtrack just sounds so familiar, yet I don't recognize the game at all. How is it that I can remember the soundtrack to a game, but have absolutely no memory of any gameplay?
What i find funny here is that Chrysalis sang a song from the same damned movie. So the theory of her being someone else that reincarnated makes a sort of sense, maybe XD
Lol got the sensation of phasma singing the dark of the night in private, whats next 'be prepared?'
This cannot end well. By all rules of fiction.
10643855
That would be quite the twist
Well this'll end well
Our bug boy knows some russian huh
10914087
This russian word essentially means "until we meet again".
Chrysalis talking about endangering the Hive?
Damn... She must have forgotten the current situation already!
*Chrysalis reading the list of demands, reaches the end of the list*
Chrysalis: "...and...I have to enroll in Gambler's Anonymous...!? until such time that I'm healed of my gambling addiction."
Phasma: "Those are our terms. They're not negotiable!"
Chrysalis: "FINE, you traitorous bastard! If it will keep my head on my shoulders..."
*later that evening*
Chrysalis: "Wha--!? What are YOU doing here!?"
Celestia: "Hi Chrysalis. I'm here to be cured of my gambling addition, same as you."
Twilight Sparkle: "Welcome Chrysalis. Have a seat. I'll be leading this group session. First, we'll start with introductions. Princess Celestia, will you please start?"
Celestia: "Hi everypony...and 'ling. My name is Celestia. I have a severe gambling addition. I bet the fate of my nation...and indeed, the entire world...on an all-or-nothing gamble of having six unskilled, unprepared, unknowing strangers to suddenly develop friendships and use their newfound and untested friendship to end an existential crisis that endangered us all."
Twilight Sparkle: "Thank you, Princess Celestia. Queen Chrysalis? If you please?"
Chrysalis: "Uh--yeah. Wow. Um--Hi everyling. M-my name is Chrysalis. I have a severe gambling addition. I--I--I bet the fate of my entire species--the whole world, you say? Wow! Somehow, I'm feeling so much better being here.... "
*punches knee* god damnit they are so similar to 40k naming scheme and they are good too
Wow... That speech after what she is responsible for...
Damn hypocrite.
11594373
Best comment of the chapter.