//------------------------------// // 14 - Invasion Pt. 2 // Story: Far is the Star Called Sol // by Omnicron25 //------------------------------// Far is the Star Called Sol Chapter 14: Invasion Pt. 2 Rainbow Dash paled as she saw the state of the town whizzing below her with Pearl and Scootaloo firmly in her grasp. She could hardly believe the state of Ponyville after less than an hour of the invasion's start. This was far worse than anything seen before, and she found herself almost wishing it was Discord making a mess of things again— keyword: almost. Nevertheless, even though most of the fighting was taking place on the ground, that did not mean the air was safe either. Rainbow forgot that for about fifteen seconds before she spotted a swarm of Changelings breaking off from a large group and buzz right toward her and Fluttershy, and with their mobility cut down because of the passengers, she knew there would be no way to dodge the fast moving parasites. What was worse was that she had no offensive options either, making them sitting ducks for the impending assault. Horsefeathers! I need to get back to Wind Storm and Rarity! They need me! she thought desperately before she saw a large number of aura enshrouded small white spheres speed away from her and strike the swarm in a mess of gore as they ripped through the drones. The sight made the cyan pegasus want to vomit, and she could only hope that Fluttershy did not see that. "Keep flying, dear! I've got our defenses covered! You just concentrate on getting us to our destination!" Dash looked down at Pearl in shock, and noticed the pearl necklace around her neck was missing. "What the hay…" The middle-age unicorn smirked as she flicked her horn to cast a few of her pearls to intercept a few boogies coming from below. "Despite what I look like now, dearie, I used to be part of the Royal Unicorn Corps and later Tact Squad 0. Captain Firefly and I used to do this all the time. Dodge left, there's one coming from above." "Come on, Rainbow Dash! Can't we go any faster than this?! You're the fastest flyer in all of Equestria!" cheered on Scootaloo, who was trying her hardest not to look sick at the gore and scared for her life. "You you want to leave Fluttershy in the others behind?" snapped Dash irritably as she began to make the maneuver, making the filly wince. In truth, Rainbow was actually doing the best she could without dropping either of her cargo. Sure she could go faster, but even at these slower speeds it would not take much to dislodge either of her passengers with only a hoof each to grip them. She was really envying Nalick's hands and Spikes claws at the moment. No sooner was she able pull the maneuver though, a drone whizzed passed her to the right which was met by the unicorn's deadly pearls, making Dash pull up to avoid getting hit by the drones dead body. "How are you doing back there Fluttershy?!" the cyan pegasus yelled back to her friend, only to not receive an answer. Fearing the worst, she looked back to see that the timid pegasus was still there, much to her relief, but there was an empty look in the other pegasus's eyes. Rainbow Dash had never seen that look in her friend's eyes before, but she had seen it in her grandfather's right after one of his flashbacks— he had been in the Cloudsdale Guard before the Armed Forces Consolidation— and more recently in Nalick's. Dash knew Fluttershy was not going to make it the short distance left to Town Hall unless some much-needed moral support was given. She squeezed her eyes shut. As much as Wind Storm and Rarity need me… She looked back at her friend. They can take care of themselves, and Fluttershy needs me a lot more right now. Her mind made up, she looked down to Pearl. "Ma'am, I need to pull back a little so I can talk to Fluttershy. She's starting to worry me." Pearl did not even look at her, too concentrated on her defenses, as she spoke, "I had a feeling we would. Go ahead, dearie, but don't stay that close to her for too long. It'll make us a bigger target, and that's something none of us wants." Nothing more needed to be said as they saw another set of drones get peppered into oblivion by the deadly weaponized pearls. The cyan pegasus slowed enough to let Fluttershy catch up to her before yelling, "Fluttershy! Hey!" The cream colored pegasus did not answer and, upon closer inspection, was shaking like a leaf. Her wings would snap shut in fear any minute now, and at this altitude, would mean almost certain death for the fillies and severe injuries to Fluttershy if they were not caught by the Changelings first. "Fluttershy! Come on! Snap out of it! We need to get the girls to safety! They need us!" Fluttershy blinked and finally looked at her fellow Element Bearer with that hollow look in her eyes as she quivered. "T—They're all… They're all dying, Dash. I—I don't… I can't do this!" Her plea ended with a squeak of terror as she snapped her eyes shut. Then, her wings locked up to her side, and the butter yellow pegasus and the two fillies with her fell. "FLUTTERSHY!!!" screamed Dash helpless as she watched them fall right toward a burning structure. "YOU HAVE TO SNAP OUT OF IT!!! FLUTTERSHY!!!" She looked down to Pearl. "We have to do something!" "Fluttershy! Ya have ta fly!" screamed Applebloom over the wind as they heard Rainbow Dash cry out in vain. "I—I can't do it!" squeaked the mare with tears running down her face as she held the fillies closer. "I'm sorry!" "Yes, you can! You've stared down a cockatrice and won! You can do it, Fluttershy!" pepped up Sweetie Belle as looked up to Fluttershy full of fear. "You have to!" "I—I…" Then, they hit the flames as Fluttershy gained enough thought to turn and take the brunt of the force, and their worlds faded to black. All Dash could do was stare dumbly. It had all happened so fast, and now with a puff of black smoke, her best friend and the two fillies were gone. "No… No… T—This can't be happening. It… No…" "Rainbow Dash! Rainbow Dash!" yelled Pearl underneath her. "We have to keep moving!" Dash looked down at the unicorn in rage. How could she say that after we'd just failed to protect somepony?! That whorse?! She was temped to just drop her then and there; she did not care whose mother she was. "If we don't keep moving, then it'll be us next, dearie! What about Scootaloo? Whose going to protect her? What about Wind Storm and Rarity? What about your other friends? They need you too, Rainbow Dash! Don't let this stop you from protecting the others you love! I lost my filly too, you know! Do you think I don't want to go down there see if Sweetie is alive?! Do you think I didn't have friends I couldn't help when they need me?!" The unicorn's tears were out in the open now, but her eyes were still hard as she rent the drones approaching the trio now with no mercy. To Dash, that struck home. She looked down at the orange filly sobbing underneath her and held her tighter. She pushed down the emotions for later, and flew to Town Hall as fast as she could. She had friends to save. And Changelings to buck! -X-X-X- Jason looked up instantly as he heard Rainbow Dash scream out. He was pretty sure it was the chromatic pegasus pony at any rate. However, he was horrified to see a yellow, white, pink, and red form falling from the sky toward a burning structure not far off. He grit his teeth in frustration and was definitely glad Twilight had been taken to the hospital with the other ponies. He was sure the pony simply called 'Doc' would be competent in getting the group there. So, there was little worry on that front. He hit another pony disguised Changeling away from him— his sixth sense had really come in handy so far— and started sprinting toward the structure. It was not too far off, so if the pegasus with the two foals survived the fall, there was a chance he could save them. I just hope I make it in time! he thought desperately. As he ran, he bashed what drones he could away from the actual ponies, as well as a few that simply got in his way, and vaulted over several ponies, trying to lose as little momentum as possible. All the while, he was yelling out orders to make for the hospital and form a defense group there. He did not have time to see if his orders were heeded though. He probably only a three-minute window to get the ponies that fell out of the structure, and that was being generous considering the height of the fall. As he neared the structure, however, he saw a black smoke darker than any substance he had ever encountered before spew out from the top of it before seemingly melding with the shadows. The cloud had felt malicious, powerful, and… wrong. It felt a little like that aura that Astral Plane gave off sometimes only magnified a thousand fold, and it made him shiver. The human looked around, a bit dazed, and noticed many of the Changeling drones in the same state. It disgusted him to think these creatures were anything like him, but whatever that cloud had been was pure vengeful malice and jealously. However, he shook his head to clear his mind. The fog was gone, and he had no way to combat it at any rate. What could face a shapeless entity besides magic anyway? Some battles can only be fought by others, he thought woefully as he searched for the survivors with his mind's eye, only to find nothing… nothing at all. He blinked and was immediately disheartened at the thought that the pony and two foals probably did not make it. War was a terrible thing— Jason knew that all too well— but it was the innocents that were always hit the hardest. The veteran soldier pushed down his emotions though. Dwelling on that now would only serve in more casualties if he did not get a proper militia going and got Spike to send a letter off to Princesses for reinforcements. His pistol at this point was just a secondary objective. As he turned though, he noticed a drone attempting to dive-bomb him. He dolphin-dived to the side and barely managed to get out of the way. However, that also meant he was now disarmed, and that did not bode well for the naturally weaker human. He was fit, but he was no muscle head and there was only so much he could do against the drones' natural armor without breaking his hands. His legs hurt from kicking so many at this point too. He looked to where his makeshift club had landed, but found one of the drones had already put a hoof on top of it. Maybe these things just have a slow learning curve or something, he thought as he dodged a couple and slammed a steel-capped boot into another's face. I should have brought some backup with me, but it was obvious the only ponies with a stomach are the Bearers, the doc, the lieutenant, the Heart Brothers, and maybe Big Mac. I would probably wouldn't have even gotten this far with some other pony with me. Jason dodged, kicked, and moved in way of library as much as he could, but there were no pony distractions in this part of town anymore— either all gone to Town Hall and the hospital or captured— and the hoard was starting to surround him. He grit his teeth as he looked for anything at all to give him an advantage. He saw some broken timber, but it was too large or damaged for him to use. To his right was an orange cart, but that could only serve as a very short distraction, and these things could fly. So, that was out. Then, he saw the firework stand. That's right… there was some type of sun festival coming up soon wasn't there… Then, a plan fell in place. He picked up a few of the pieces of wood and dodged a drone that had decided it had waited long enough to pounce. Rolling on the ground, he hit the legs out from under one as he stood and sprinted to the orange cart. He brought the two pieces of wood down as hard as he could on the breaking mechanism, shattering it and the pieces of wood, before impaling a drone with the stubs of wood he had left and kicking the cart toward the center of the group. As it hit the group, the cart overturned and sent the fruit flying everywhere, but Jason had already skidded behind the firework stand, taking inventory of what he had at his disposal: seven undamaged rocket tubes, fifty or so rockets, plenty of firecrackers, a few smoke bombs, plenty of magic fire-starters that resembled flares, and a pair of saddlebags. He sighed. "It'll have to do." Stuffing as many rockets as he could, along with a spare tube, into the saddlebags and strapping them diagonally across his torso— which was still an ill fit— he lit a row of firecrackers and threw them into the crowd of drones followed by three of the smoke bombs in different areas. He made a break for it as he lit a rocket and put it in another tube he had grabbed and launched it into the crowd as well. It was not like firing a rocket-propelled grenade or the like, but it would do. As he ran through the smoke toward the library, which was just about a block away now if the map he had studied earlier was accurate, he heard the insectoids scream out in terror and pain as the rocket blew amongst them. Jason quickly realized he had full-strength rockets at his disposal and smiled. He was back in the game, even if he did have to be careful with how he used his new arsenal. The library starting to come into sight now, but he was blocked by another group. He put up a mental shield so they would not sense him right away and lit a rocket as it slid into the tube. With as good of aim as he could muster, it fired just as the drones started to notice the human staring at them a ways off, impaling one in the eye as the star of the firework ignited. This blew the head clean off the poor creature and several of the drones near it were killed outright. Jason had needed to shield his eyes this time since there was no smoke to obscure the flash, but the Changelings were too busy retreating from the monstrous human with 'fire magic' to attack him. That left the coast clear for him to make his way to the library with almost no conflict at all. Once inside— and counting his prayers for it not being a ball of fire right now— he noticed the lights were out. That either meant Spike had turned them off to help hide himself or… The human watch something bipedal stand to nearly his height in the far corner of the room. The creature made his eyes widen, because there was no mistaking it as some sort of Changeling, but its aura was hideously warped similarly to a… "Human, I'm glad you could make it. I admit I was starting to get bored, and this lizard was starting to look…" It laughed a wheezy kind of laugh. "…tasty!" Its voice grated on Jason's every nerve, and he could not place why. It was as if the creature spoke pure, infectious malice. However, he chose to ignore it as he saw Spike in a cage not too far off from the creature. "Jason! You've gotta get me out of here!" yelled the baby dragon desperately as it clung to the inside of the cage as far from the praying mantis-like creature as he could get. "Let him go," he demanded. "You're after me, not him." The bipedal bug laughed. "To the contrary…" Its eyes gleamed manically. "I'm going to eat you both!" It strode half the library in two strides before Jason lit another one of the magic fire-starters and rolled just in time to have the super Changeling miss its mark. Then, Jason lit the last two smoke bombs before smashing the lighter into the insectoid's side, making it scream in pain. "I'm going to kill you for that!" screeched the insect as it looked around for the human. While it was distracted, Jason had come over to Spike's cage and pried the bars apart with his arms and a leg. He had been forced to leave the rocket tube and saddlebags behind, but he could not use them indoors anyway. "Bud, run into the basement and send a letter to the Princess! We can't win this without reinforcements!" he whispered urgently to the baby dragon. "But—" "Go!" Jason cut off harshly. "I'll deal with the big nasty!" Spike just nodded and ran through the smoke toward the basement. However, that was enough time for the Changeling to find Jason as it leaped toward him, scythes extended. Jason was getting very fatigued at this point, however, and was only partially able to dodge. One of the scythed arms did manage to lacerate his shoulder making him cry out in pain. Then, the bug hit him with the flat of one of the blades in the head, making fly a couple of feet. "Human, you annoy me, and I've had enough of your games," said the Changeling as it casually approached him. "I'm going to make you suffer." Even though blinded in one eye by the blood from a cut on his head and dazed, Jason smirked. Then, he kicked the legs out from under the bug and rolled, making it fall backward and giving him enough time to unsteadily stand. Then, he quickly scanned the room for something he could use. His eyes quickly found his prize. Before the creature had time to stand, he had quickly stumbled over to the safe and gave it a good kick right above the lock hole. With a prayer, Jason tried to open it, and found the door to simply fall off its snapped hinges, making him jump slightly. He recovered quickly though and pulled out his pistol and slid in the magazine, flicking off the safety. The Changeling screeched in rage as it charged him, but Jason was not intimidated. He looked it dead in the eyes and fired three rounds into its head. He did not even need to aim at this distance and the force was enough to make the comparatively light insectoid to fall backwards. With all known threats dealt with and Spike— hopefully— sending off the letter for reinforcements, Jason felt his adrenaline leave him, making him fall to his ass as he flipped the safety back on. "Welcome to human warfare 101, bug. Never underestimate your enemy and never gloat," he said with some strain. Then, suddenly the door burst open, making Jason quickly flip the safety and aim to the door. "Hold it! We're friendlies!" barked a familiar voice. Jason could not help but grin. "You've missed a lot, Major." Major Four Blades looked around the smoky room and noticed the firework tube and the dead mutant laying dead on the ground. "Well, laddy, I thought some unicorn civvies finally got the guts to actually do some damage, but it seems you beat'em to the buck. Fireworks, huh?" Jason nodded as he flicked the safety again and lowered his weapon. "Gotta make due with what you have, sir. Have you been briefed yet?" Major Blades frowned. "I was unaware there was there was something other than the infestation that sprung up." Jason sighed and took off what was left of his tattered shirt as Spike waddled back up from the basement— probably upon hearing the major's voice. "Oh, these things things are tenacious alright, but I think they have a plan that does more than what I've heard about the attack during the Royal Wedding. You got here awfully fast though." Then, he pushed himself up, shoving most of the pistol in his waistline, and ripped down a curtain to start making pressure bandages for himself. "That's what I was trying to tell you, Jason!" huffed Spike as he stood next to him. "I'd sent the letter as soon as I saw trouble! Everypony never seems to think I can do things on my own! Grah!" He kicked the table with his foot only to stub a claw and start hopping around on one foot. "Ow! Ow! I meant to do that!" Ignoring the disgruntled dragon, the major answered, "Aye, so I've seen." He eyed the mutant before turning his gaze back to Jason who was tying a makeshift bandage around his head to keep the blood out of his eyes. "Lad, are you sure ye can still fight." With the pain in his foot easing off, Spike looked at Jason's battered form a bit harder. "Yeah, Jason, you're not looking too good," he chimed in with concern. Jason nodded and winced as he tied a makeshift pressure bandage around his shoulder. "Till my dying breath, I'll do fine. I've been worse off. Now, let's get you caught up on what I've discovered while we make our way to Town Hall." The major nodded with a confidant smile. "Then, take these, lad. That fire-shooter o'yours doesn't have infinite charges I'm guessin'." Then, the two front guards that the blade-shields were attached to fell off to either side. Jason raised a brow. "Are you sure? Will they even fit me?" He nodded confidently. "Don't worry; it's the back two the bloody sods have to worry about now. I'm not 'Four Blades' for nothin', lad." After wrapping his bloody hands— the wounds had opened back up from use— Jason tried them on, but found they were too loose. "I didn't think they'd fit." "Let me fix that," said the major as he approached Jason and stood on his hind legs as he put both of his front hooves on the equipment. "Refit!" On command, the armor reshaped itself to snugly fit Jason's forearms. Jason raised his brows in amazement. "Oh!" "You keep forgetting about the magic, lad," pointed out the major. "I had'em enchanted just for emergencies. Now, shall we be off?" The human nodded. "We shall." "What about me?" asked Spike uncomfortably. Jason looked to the major for his call as the three stepped outside and into the secured perimeter. He knew less about the ponies' side of the conflict he did the Changelings at this point. The major gained a thoughtful expression before turning to the cadet that seemed to be searching the dirt for something. "Cadet Weight!" Instantly, the cadet shot up at attention. "Yes, Major, sir?!" Major Blades rolled his eyes. "Take the wee lad to the hospital and provide whatever support they need there. Make sure to take your bloody bowgun this time." "Sir, yes, sir!" shouted Cadet Weight as he hefted a massive crossbow-like weapon and motioned for Spike. "Time wastin', little dragon. Get on." With that said, Spike looked at Jason one last time before getting on the guard's back, and with one push of his wings, they were off. "Alright, time to fuck up some bugs," grumbled Jason as he turned to the major. "First thing I need to tell you, we're going to have to go sabotage a trap." "Well, that sounds fun! Doesn't it, Major?" chorused the Night Guard twins with a grin. "Aye, we better get to work then." -X-X-X- Sentinel Heart was already up and about in the hospital, and after finding himself in a puddle of gore, he was not happy about it. Whatever that thing was that had attacked him was dead, and it had no right to be. He should have been the dead one laying on the bed, but all of that could have just been a trauma-induced dream. He could have just killed the thing without having the blade go through his chest and blocked it out with that simple memory slip to cover it up. That did not seem right to him though. Too much was not adding up, and he could not remember what had actually happened. It was like the hydra incident all those years ago when he was still a junior member of the security force— back when there had been more than just three of them anyway— all over again. He sighed. The only one who knew the whole story would have been Nurse Redheart, but every time she woke up she would have a crazed look in her eyes and start gibbering something about zombies. Zombies were not even real for Celestia's sake! This did not help the monochrome stallion's paranoia in the least though, but he had other issues to worry about… like what seemed to be a Changeling invasion of Ponyville. Why did no pony ever use his manor for shelter instead of Town Hall? That was what he had modified it for— well, that and particularly bad estrus seasons, but that was beside the point. He sighed again, which was becoming a bad habit quickly it seemed. He had to find out what the full situation was and who was in charge. He was quickly getting infuriated with all the gaps in information, both personal and situational. It was the gleam of Royal Guard armor that finally gave him a break after what seemed like an eternity of confusion. "Sir! Are you the one in charge here?!" Sentinel called out over the din of rushing ponies. "Eeyup! Yer up 'n' 'bout Sent? Thought ya'd be up sooner, knowin' you." Sentinel blinked. Standing in front of him was none other than Big Macintosh himself in his reserve guard armor*. The security chief had to admit, the big farmer was quite possibly more intimidating that half the actual Solar Guard aside from former Captain Shining Armor, and that was saying something. The unicorn shook his head to clear it. "Well, I seemed to had caught a snag with a mutant Changeling that has turned our beloved nurse into a bumbling nut-job. In any case, I need to know the situation. I am still the Head of Security and Emergency Services last I checked." "Eeyup, 'n' since yer up, yer in charge 'til the guard arrive. Ain't got much fer ya though, seein' as Ah probably know 'bout as much as y'all do at this point," conceded the large stallion flatly. "Way Ah see it, ta varmints are a-playin' fer keeps tis time." Sentinel sighed for the third time in the fifteen-minute span. It was just going to be one of those days for him. "Alright, get every able-bodied stallion and mare prepped for mandatory security detail, call condition red, salvage everything that's breakable that isn't essential for unicorn ammunition, have the unicorns head to the roof, have pegasi patrol the surrounding skies, and have half the earth ponies patrol the building parameter while the other half build barricades and secure the windows. I'll be putting up a selective barrier that will paralyze any bugs that come through, so if they get close enough, tell the patrols to deal with them with extreme prejudice once stunned. Medical personnel, and those that can pass as, are exempt from patrol. Got that?" He could not help but smile inwards, those tactics Shining Armor had taught him in private were starting to pay off. "Eeyup!" the red armored stallion quipped before starting to make his rounds. Then, as if on cue, Applejack burst into the large room. "Mac! The varmints have broken through ta east entrance! We gotta evacuate ta the farm!" Sentinel frowned. As he predicted the moment the Stetson-wearing farmer burst into the room, the ponies started panicking. He was in no mood to deal with this, and firing up his horn to amplify his voice he yelled, "HOLD YOUR GROUND PONIES!!! WE ARE LOSING NO MORE GROUND TO A BUNCH OF OVERGROWN INSECTS!!! GET BACK TO YOUR POSITIONS AND PREPARE FOR CONFLICT!!!" As predicted, again, it was the volume that made the ponies stop and listen to Sentinel Heart, not the contents of his words. He knew he was no charismatic leader, and his need to use volume that put him on par with the Royal Canterlot Voice was evidence of that. He knew how to lead, but that did not mean he had any natural talent for it like Prince Shining Armor, Twilight Sparkle, or even the mayor and Jason. He was only doing what had to be done. Applejack stared at the up and moving security chief in shock as he spoke again to her and Big Mac, "Now, take me to the breach; I'll fix this mess." Then, he turned to two construction ponies. "Follow, I'll need you to seal the breach and reinforce the barricades there." Applejack's face soured at Sentinel's blunt tone and eyed him suspiciously, but kept whatever thoughts she had to herself as she lead the five pony team to where the Changelings had broken in. Sentinel knew him and the farm mare never got along all that well— not that his deathly allergy to apples helped any— but he at least knew she was a useful and practical pony for the most part. As they entered the hallway that lead to the eastern entrance, they found themselves face to face with the assaulting insectoids. It took all of the eldest Heart brother's willpower not to just blast them right then. "Get behind me and guard the door until I clear them out." They did as they were told— one did not argue when Sentinel Heart got that look in eye— but one of the construction workers did ask, "How are you going to do that?" Sentinel put up a barrier so the Changelings could not get any closer to them before asking, "Are there any ponies in there?" "Naw, we got out soon's the breach happened. There's jus too many," said Applejack dejectedly. Sentinel nodded. He knew by her reputation it must have taken Applejack had not to fight until the end. Maybe the situation was not completely lost after all. "Close your eyes." He did not even glance back to see if his order had been followed. He had ordered it for their sake anyway, if they choose not to follow, then that was their own fault. He formed a thin grid of condensed, wire-like barriers in front of the second and hurled them both forward. The first mulching all the drones in the hallway, and the second pushing the majority of the gore out of the hallway until it reached the entrance. Then, he dropped the grid and left the solid barrier bubbled slightly around the entrance so the construction ponies could do their work. "Problem solved," stated Sentinel dryly as he turned to see Applejack with an abhorred look etched in her features; obviously, she had not closed her eyes. "What the hay was that?! Y'all jus slaughtered the whole lot-o-them!" Sentinel cracked his neck to gesture the construction ponies to get to work, and motioned for Big Mac— who was eyeing him warily as well— to search the rooms along the hallway for any stragglers. Then, he confronted AJ. "As much as I'm sure you want to argue with my methods, I got the job done, and we're wasting time discussing this." "Those're living beings, Heart, and y'all just slaughtered the whole lot-o-them without battin' an eyelash! I thought yer job was protectin' others, not killin'! What kinda pony are ya to be doin' manure like that?!" The quicksilver-maned pony regarded her coldly for a moment and pointed to the fresh scar on his chest with a hoof. "These things are not civil, mud pony. They do not just want to capture us this time. They mean to take what they can get and use the rest of us as an example of what happens to those that don't surrender to them. Where do you think this scar came from? My special talent is defending others' lives— be it pure defense, offensive, minor healing, or a combination. I will do anything to protect the ponies I hold dear." He stood his full height, which was almost four feathers taller than her. "What would you have done instead? Knock them out one by one with your limited options, or rid yourself of the threat to your family entirely? Think carefully, because I did take that into account before I acted. I always take everything into account." Applejack stood looking at him defiantly. "Yer a monster is what ya're, Sentinel Heart." Sentinel frowned and said flatly, "You better be glad I'm a monster on your side then, Apple." Then, he turned to see Big Mac was struggling with a particularly big Changeling that had hid in one of the rooms. He scanned the bug and the pony to make sure it was not a trap, but Applejack had already gone over and knocked the Changeling out before he had a chance to dispatch it properly. Therefore, he asked, "Is that the last of them?" "Eeyup!" said the big pony as the construction workers started reinforcing the side room windows. Sentinel nodded. "Good, now back to your previous orders, my friend." Then, he turned to Applejack. "And since you're so insistent, you can be in charge of coordinating the defenses. Report back in fifteen minutes, I'll be on the roof." Applejack nodded grimly and strode angrily off with Big Macintosh following behind. "Oh, Mac, a couple more things!" burst out Sentinel before Mac could get out of earshot. "What's the status on the Elements of Harmony?" "Fluttershy 'n' Dash were last seen headin' ta Town Hall. Twilight is'ere, collapsed from exhaustion. Rarity was last reported with the lieutenant 'n' Magnum in the business area. AJ is'ere keepin' the defense goin'. Pinkie is missin' though." There was a certain edge to the big pony's voice now. Sentinel pounded a hoof against the tile. Dash and Fluttershy were heading right into the supposed trap, Twilight was probably out of action even if he did lift the rune hex on her, and the Element of Laughter was nowhere to be found. That was anything but good news. "What about the mayor, the human, and Astral Plane?" Big Mac took a moment to think before answering, "Jay is fightin' ta get ta Spike last I heard from Doc Feelgood, but the filly and the mayor are both missin'." Sentinel nodded grimly. He had no doubt in Jason Nalick's martial capabilities and would be able to get to the dragon assistant, but with the mayor missing, it was a wonder Big Mac had held this entire cluster-rut together this long. He had just asked about the filly out of duty and had no real concern for the foal. She seemed like the slippery type to get out of tight spots in any case. "Thanks, now, you have your orders." He gave Mac a halfhearted salute. Mac snapped to attention and saluted back. "Yes, sir!" Then, he turned and started shouting the given orders, quickly bringing order from the chaos in minutes. Meanwhile, Sentinel went up to the roof and cast his selective paralyzation shield over the hospital. The gray dome would let everything but Changelings through— disguised or not— and make them revert to their natural forms. Twilight Sparkle had scolded him on perfecting such a seemingly useless spell, but his paranoia drove him on, and he was proven right again. I'm only paranoid until I'm proven right, then I'm insightful. It was shortly after setting up the barrier that Sentinel noticed a black pony with Gothic-stylized armor, a gigantic cannon-crossbow hybrid, and a purple dragon on its back come in for a landing. He immediately recognized the stallion as a Night Guard and with him was none other than Spike. That meant more news from the front lines and likely backup had arrived. He quickly strode his way over to them. "Sir! I'm Security Chief Sentinel Heart. What news do you have from the line?" Cadet Weight simply glanced at the unicorn addressing him. "I'm Cadet Gradient Weight. Cadet Weight or just Cadet works fine. My major asked me here to provide the dragon with safe passage and provide support." He gestured toward his massive weapon. "The human is a bit beaten, but still willing to fight, and there has been sightings of what seems to be a tact squad of zebra adding us where needed. They seemed to be heading toward the business district last we saw, using the rooftops as means of transport." Sentinel found the pony's unusual emphasis on M's odd, but payed it no mind. "Any idea what their up to, Cadet?" The Night Guard shook his head. "Past aiding us, I haven't the slightest, Chief. Where ya want me to set up?" "On the backside of the hospital would be best, and the paralyzing field should help," replied Sentinel before turning to Spike. "Do you think you can help with the medical supplies, Spike?" The baby dragon gave him a salute. "I'm on it!" With that done, Sentinel started back through his rounds. He had to make sure these ponies did not lose their nerve, and he knew his confidant air would help in that. -X-X-X- Back in the business district, Rarity was doing the best she could to defend the fallen pegasus warrior, but it was obviously a losing battle. She had been forced to drag him into a building during the aftermath of Lt. Thunderstorm's final hurrah against the mutant, carnivorous Changeling, and was now quickly nearing her breaking point as well. Her vision blurring, and being forced into a corner by an entire force of seemingly endless drones, she was starting to become desperate. "Back! Back! Back, I say, you horrible little creatures!" she cried out as she used a pair of kitchen knives and a couple pieces of metal to beat and cut down the invaders. However, during a lapse of concentration, one of them had gotten through and tackled her to the floor, making her lose her weapons in the process. Then, it reared back its head and bit her on one of her defending forelegs. "Why you little…!" She bucked it in the underside, making it gasp in pain and releasing her foreleg, before she used her telekinesis to throw it off her and into another approaching Changeling. Then, she turned around and bucked the two of them, knocking them out before putting up a barrier… only no barrier came up. She tried to lift something with her telekinesis, but found she could not do that either. She had exhausted her magic; all she had now were her horn and bare hooves. That did not mean the Changelings stopped coming though, nor did they relent any. Not only that, but her body was starting to fail her too. Her vision was starting to darken, and she knew all that was keeping her going was brutish adrenaline. "This… is the… worst…" She never got to finish what she was saying as her vision failed her, and a Changeling capitalized on this by punching her with a hoof. Outside, however, there was a different story. Fifteen cloaked, quadrupedal figures jumped from the top of one of the buildings in deathly silence. They smashed through the Changelings with ease, leaving none alive. They spoke not a word to each other and made no gestures, yet moved in perfect synchronization. It was if they were all the same being that was just multiplied. The Changeling drones did not even have time to make more than a surprised squawk when the silent squad came forth into the household. Once the squad reached the unconscious duo, they found a third terrified earth pony crouched down trembling in fear. The leader of the group removed its hood reveal the head of a Changeling, but unlike the drones, her eyes were sharp and full of intelligence. It looked down at the earth pony with a scowl as its eyes widened in even greater terror. A second of the group approached the leader, taking off its hood as well to reveal another Changeling that was missing a horn and also had clear eyes. "My leader, the parameter has been set up by Ku'Tual, Terr'Zu, and Ver'Qu. The others are on patrol," the Changeling rasped in their own tongue with an air of masculinity. The leader nodded. "Good. What do you think we should do about the drone here, Ar'Va? She seems like a third generation," she said with an air of authority. "I say we let her make that choice," said Ar'Va with a hint of compassion. "I was once in her position too not so long ago— ignorant of the Corrupted One's madness." The leader nodded before turning back to the drone. "I am Aras'Re, leader of the Shifters. What is your name, young one?" "I—I… I'm Fara'Fa. What do you want from me? Why do you betray the Queen?" Aras'Re chuckled. "I am not the one who betrayed. The Corrupt One betrayed all of us. Did you want to be here? Did you want to do this?" The drone shook her head and cried, "I—I never wanted this! I was starving, and she does terrible things to us if we don't comply! I—I don't know what she does, but it hurts my head!" With a spark of her horn, the Shifter leader gently bent her head down until it touched the disguised drone's head. Instantly, the Changeling convulsed as it shifted back to base form before the horn, wing casings, and wings fell off. Then, the leader opened her eyes. "Your connection to the Corrupt One has been severed. I see you were an earthen at birth. Be glad, for she has the least control over your kind. Many unicorns and pegasi were too enthralled by the time the third generation came about to save." "Who are you?" Fara'Fa asked in wonderment as her eyes became clear of the milky white that once covered them, feeling free for the first time in two hundred years. Aras'Re gave her a bemused smile. "I'm not surprised she has wiped the first and second generation's names from existence." Then, she used her magic to create a tan hooded cape from the carpet. "Join us, and we'll fight for freedom from this curse together." The once drone, now Shifter, took the cape with glee. "Yes, my leader!" Then, one of the guarding Shifters burst in with a look of determination on her face. "What is the matter, Ku'Tual? A patrol of generation fives?" demanded Ar'Va as he turned to see his fellow Shifter. Ku'Tual shook her head. "Worse. We have a whole airborne swarm of gen five coming in." "Ku'Tual, Ar'Va, take the Element of Generosity and the Spirit Wing descendant to the hospital. Fly if you must. We shall buy you time until you're a safe distance away. Then, meet us at the manor at the far end of town," ordered Aras'Re as she lifted her hood up and turned to their newest member. "Stay in here, Fara'Fa. I do not wish to see one of us few fall. I will come retrieve you myself when it's safe." She nodded meekly as Ku'Tual and Ar'Va gathered the two fallen ponies onto their backs. Then, the three veteran Shifters ventured out, and Ku'Tual and Ar'Va immediately jump upward to the building tops as Aras'Re cast a gravity spell on the unsuspecting swarm. As the swarm hit the ground, the thirteen other veteran Shifters surged forth in their deathly silence yet again. It was their time for battle yet again. * The reserve guard do not have as high-quality of armor as the standard, nor does reserve armor have the glamour enchantment that makes all the Royal Guard look the same.