//------------------------------// // Nightmares // Story: The Changeling War // by Captain Morgan //------------------------------// It had been almost an hour since we had left the city, undetected. During our time there, my group an I were successful in finding my Uncle and his family, and in the process, got a friendly Changeling named Shift to join our group. Right now, we were on the surface, walking down Ford Parkway and were coming up on the bridge, where we would make our way across the Mississippi River and get ourselves out of Changeling territory from there. Now some of you may wonder why weren't in the sewers anymore and that we were above ground, out in the open while every Changeling is looking for us. Well, while navigating our way through the sewers, we had come across a portion of the sewer system where the ceiling above had collapsed, bringing the street above down with it. But because of this, it gave us access to the surface and seeing how everyone was tired of traveling via the sewer (mainly Rarity), we made our way up. Been ten minutes since we all chose to travel above ground, and not once have we seen any Changeling patrols. I hated it, hated being out here at night while all of us were wanted by Razorfang and every Changeling in the state, and I really hope that there were none of them close by, because we were about to cross a bridge into Minneapolis where we would become an eyesore for anyone in the area. I guess Luna, who was walking next to me, noticed that I was deep in thought, as she then nudged my shoulder with her head. “Are you alright, Morgan?” She asked. “You seem troubled.” “Hmm? yeah, I-I’m fine.” I lied, but she didn’t buy it. “I know that you’re worried about everything that has happened to us, and about what Shift told us, but you don’t need to be. Whatever happens, we’ll be there by your side.” She reassured. “Thanks, Luna,” I replied with a slight blush on my face which she didn’t notice. I swear, ever since the sewers, I felt something between me and Luna, but I was too afraid to say those words ‘I think I love you’. I mean like I said, she’s a thousand years old and I’m only twenty-two. Wanting something else to think about, I quickly looked around for anything to take my mind off, till I saw Shift walking a few feet ahead of us, and I already knew a few questions I could ask her. “So, Shift.” I started. She turned her head towards me and slowed her pace so that she was walking next to me and Luna. “Kenny said that you were born in the United States, correct? Well, where exactly?” I asked quietly. Making sure that no-one would hear us, she then started explaining her story. “I was born in the deserts of Utah into a loving Changeling family. Our hive lived in a system of underground caves, deep beneath the earth, which is the reason why your kind hadn’t seen or heard of us back then. When I was young, I had dreamed to be in the royal guard, even though I thought of you humans differently, besides what others thought. My parents approved of what I wanted to be, so I started studying to become a guard. I had just started my training, right before the Queen announced ourselves to the world.” She replied. “So that’s where Chrysalis and your kind has been living for the last fifty years?” Luna asked, but she just shook her head. “Not just Utah, back then, we were one of four colonies that were hidden in underground caves in the deserts of different states. Chrysalis knew that if the hive got too large for one state, then we would soon be discovered. So in order to ensure that our kind would stay hidden, she ordered three of her most favored Generals to lead separate groups into the neighboring states, Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico, where they would build colonies, until the Queen knew that her army was large enough to control your country.” she finished. It took me some time to process everything that she just said. “So while Chrysalis’ army grew in number, and to make sure that it would not be discovered in the time being, she formed three separate groups of Changelings, led by her closest Generals and ordered them to hide themselves along with other Changelings, deep underground in desert of the neighboring states to avoid detection, until the time was right to strike the United States,” I repeated, wanting to be sure I got everything that Shift said, in which she nodded. “Huh? That’s… kind of a smart plan.” I commented. “It was, but… There is one more thing that you should know, and you may not like it.” Shift said, uneasily. “Try me,” I said with a smile of confidence. But she said next, surprised me. “Ripwing was one of the three Generals,” she said, plainly My eyes widened slightly and my confident smile turned into a small frown. “Ripwing. You mean the General Ripwing? The General that was recently killed at the stadium, that I recently killed?” I questioned, hoping that she meant another Changeling named Ripwing, but Shift just nodded. “Well, Shit.” Was all I could say after that. Not only did I kill a General, but one of the Queen’s favorite, and Razorfang was out for blood for his murder. I just hope that The Remnants were willing to help us when we found them. Speaking of which, while we made our way out of the city through the sewers, Kenny told us that their location was in the abandoned town of Albert Lea, which was almost a two day trip by foot from here. it's funny though, I kinda thought they would be farther south, like hiding somewhere in Iowa, but hey, at least it won’t be that long of a long trip. “Morgan, darling?” Rarity started with a tired voice. “Don’t you think we should stop for a while, it’s going to be a long trip and some ponies here need their beauty sleep.” “Yeah, ah think I’d be best if we all hit the hay till morning” Applejack added who was also tired. “Everypony is right Morgan, we’ve all had a long day and we should all get some sleep.” Twilight agreed. “I agree with you Twilight, I really do. But we’re still not out of the woods yet. It would be better if we continued for another hour, south and find somewhere to camp out then.” I replied. “Another hour!” Rainbow whined, hovering right in front of me, making me stop in my tracks. “Morgan, we’ve been on the run from them ever since the stadium!” “Guys, I know that we’re all tired, but we’re all wanted by the Changeling guard. If we stop for the night, they’re bound to find us!” I protested. I then saw Jacob walk up to me with a stern face. “Morgan, I am worried for the group just like you are, but we need to stop, just for the night. All we need is just a few hours sleep and then we can get back on the road, straight in the mourning.” He said. All I could do was sigh, It was me against everyone and right now, they were winning. The guys were right, I really am stubborn. “Ok, fine. We can stop for the night.” I said as I made my way to the front of the group and pointed to a building across the river. “There’s an apartment complex we can stay in for the night, but there has to be rules, and rule number one, is that you have to keep absolutely quiet if you don't want to be found. Is that clear?” I question as everyone nodded unanimously. “Let’s go,” I said plainly as we started walking across the bridge to the apartment. “I really hope this doesn’t come and bite me in the ass later.” I thought angrily. ******* I stood on the roof of the Parkway West Apartments, the place we were all staying tonight, looking out at the quiet area that used to be Minneapolis. But the only thing I could see, only five blocks away from here, was the wall that cut itself off from the outside world. The only light that could be seen was a large, smoldering hole in the wall. “Hmm, some of the missiles from the plane must’ve flown out of the stadium and landed there.” I thought to myself. Everyone else was in the basement and in all honesty, it wasn’t the nicest of places that we could sleep in, but it was the only place where Changelings couldn’t see us. They were either chatting about everything that had happened today or getting shut-eye for what was to come tomorrow. They were right, we all deserve some rest from what we’ve endured, today. The sound of the door to the roof was heard as Celestia, Luna, Twilight stepped through. “We were wondering where you had gone off to,” Celestia said with a smile. “Yeah, just enjoying the sights of the city, or what's left of it at least,” I replied as they walked up next to me. “How’s everybody doing so far?” I asked. “My friends are all asleep, Including your cousin, Noah and Chris and Markus watching over them, Kenny and his wife are getting along with Applejack and Rarity, Evan and Shift are talking about medicine, and your friend Jacob is keeping an eye out for any patrols in the area.” Twilight listed off. I gave a small laugh. “At least they’re getting their rest,” I said still gazing at the blackened city. “Morgan?” Celestia started. “We never got the chance to ask you, but what happened to the other humans in this country. I mean, I know that a lot of them are in the city, but did some of them manage to escape?” She asked. “They escaped alright,” I replied. “Months after the fall of America, thousands of people flocked to the east and west coast where ships were willing to take them overseas, away from here. Last I heard, the largest area that has American refugees was Hawaii, a group of islands far off the west coast. As for the people who weren't able to escape the war… well, you already saw what we have to live with nowadays ” I explained glumly. I then felt a feathered wing, wrap around my body with a comforting grip and I looked to see that it belonged to Twilight. “We’re sorry if this is how you had to live for so long, especially us not getting here on time to prevent Chrysalis from conquering your home.” Twilight apologized. “You don’t have to be sorry,” I said back. “None of us knew that this would happen. But with you guys here now, I sure that we could win this.” I said confidently. “Morgan, what is with the large wall? Is that a settlement as well?” Luna said as she was looking at the wall of the Dead Zone. “I really wish it was, Luna,” I replied plainly, but she looked at me with confusion. “What do you mean by that.” She questioned. “What you see before you is the border to the Dead Zone” I announced as I gestured my hand to the wall before us. “The Dead Zone?” Celestia reiterated. “It contains the remains of people who died from a virus that has ravaged the nation,” I explained. “What type of virus?” Twilight asked. “No one knows,” I replied. “People say that it was Brought by Chrysalis and her Changelings when they took power, and when the death toll continued to rise, Changelings erected walls across the state and named them Dead Zones. Every person who contracted or died from the virus was taken to a Dead Zone. But that didn't stop other survivors from making their way in there.” “Why in Equestria would they want to go in there?” Twilight asked. “Supplies. Untouched by the Changeling War that is still ripe for the picking. That’s the one thing that doesn't stop them from going inside there. Usually, they would use climbing gear to get over the wall and make it inside. But every survivor that goes in there, is never seen nor heard from again.” I replied with a grim tone. The Princesses looked at each other, disturbed by what I had told them. “Has anyone ever manage to make it out alive?” Luna questioned hopefully. “N- um… sort of.” I replied uneasily. “What do you mean ‘sort of’?” Celestia questioned, raising an eyebrow in concern. I rubbed the back of my neck nervously and sighed. I didn’t want to tell them the story, but they had to know. “Two years ago, Jacob and I were about to do our regular scavenge when Chris got visual on one of the security cameras of a Hispanic man stumbling in the school. It looked like he was badly hurt and he was clutching his gut and drops of blood trailing behind him. When Jacob and I got to him, we found him on the floor, blood pooling around him. As we helped him up, The guy says that he came from the Dead Zone so we decided to take him in. Chris had gotten out the medical supplies, but once he looked over his injuries, he knew that he wasn't gonna make it. The guy had wounds all over his face and arms and a large gash across his stomach, he’d lost too much blood and there was no point in saving him and I’m pretty sure the guy knew as well. The only thing we could do was make him feel more comfortable, so I told the others to grab some blankets and as soon as they left, the guy grabs ahold of my shoulder and brings me closer to his face. He then tells me something that freaked me out.” “What did he say?” Luna asked with worried eyes. “He told me how he and his friends were inside the Dead Zone, searching for fresh supplies but were attacked by ‘monsters’ as he said. They killed his friends and wounded him, trying to escape, hence his injuries. He then warns me that if my group were ever to go in there, into the Dead zone, the monsters would tear us apart till there is nothing left of our remains.” I replied grimly. They looked at each other in concern, worry, and fear for a moment until Twilight spoke. “I’m guessing he died as he finished?” Twilight asked carefully. “Died? Yes. From his injuries? No. Once he finished, he grabs my gun, holds it against his head… and pulls the trigger. Whatever happened to the guy, to make him that scared, it was enough to kill himself” I explained. Celestia, Luna, and Twilight stared at me, horrified upon hearing this. “When the guys came to see what happened, all they saw was a dead body with my gun in his hand and my face covered in blood. After that, I ended up telling them what he said to me.” “And what did your friends think about it?” Celestia asked. “Jacob and Chris believe in what the guy said and I’m pretty sure Evan would believe it too. Markus though, he thinks otherwise.” I replied. “Why would he not believe it?” Twilight questioned with a tilt of her head. “Because the guy was obviously on drugs!” A voice said loudly and as we looked to where it came from, we saw Markus leaning against the door, staring at me with a stern look. “Morgan, I thought I said that we were done talking about this and yet here you are, telling ghost stories to our friends here.” He said, walking toward us. “Markus, I saw the fear in his eyes, he was not on drugs and he was certainly not making it up either. Whatever type of monsters he saw in there was enough to scare himself to death!” I replied harshly. “Oh for the love of-” Markus cursed. “There are no such things as ‘monsters’!” He said, raising his voice, but I just gave him an unamused look. “Dude, for the umpteenth time, we live in a country that just got taken over by flying, shapeshifting creatures that feed off love and use magic,” I replied bluntly as Twilight then stepped in. “And we come from the same planet like the Changelings.” She added. “We even have monsters as well. Dragons, Manticores, Hydras-” “THAT’S DIFFERENT!” Markus snapped, startling Twilight. He then quickly realized the mistake he made. “Sorry, I-” He was interrupted as I put my hand over his shoulder in a calming way. “Just get some sleep, dude. We’ve all and a long, stressful day.” I reassured. Markus rolled his eyes, muttering a ‘Whatever’ and he walked back to the door downstairs to where everyone else was, Leaving us to ourselves. “If it makes you feel any better Morgan,” Celestia started as I looked at her. “We believe you.” She said with Twilight and Luna nodding in agreement. I smiled at them, letting out a small chuckle. “Thank guys,” I replied as I then yawned. “But we should really get some sleep, it’s gonna be a long trip if we’re gonna find the Remnants,” I stated. “Agreed.” Celestia, Luna, and Twilight said, simultaneously as we followed Markus downstairs for some well-deserved rest. ******* I awoke to the sound of passing cars and as I opened my eyes, I gazed at the posters of my favorite bands and video games that hung on the ceiling of my old room. I instantly knew that this was a dream, cause the last time I had slept in my room, was before the war. “Morgan, you up?” My mom’s voice called from downstairs, it’s been so long since I last heard her caring voice. “Yeah, I’m up. I’ll be down in a minute.” I answered as I quickly got dressed and walked my way downstairs. Once I entered our kitchen, I saw my mom cooking breakfast for us and the smell of bacon entered my nostrils. God, it’s been too long since I last had the greasy goodness. As I looked toward the table, I saw my dad sitting in his usual spot reading the morning newspaper. I walked over to the table and sat down across from him. “You alright, son? My dad asked with concern in is his gruff voice as he glanced at me from his paper. “You have that nervous look about you, did you sleep alright?” “I’m fine dad, it’s nothing.” I replied. He just shrugged and continued reading. My mom then came up to the table with a plate in her hands with bacon on them and set in front of me and my dad. “Your dad and I will be going to a party with our friends this afternoon,” She started. “Do you think you can survive without us tonight?” “Please mom, you’ve been leaving me home alone ever since I turned fifteen, I think I’ll survive,” I replied calmly with a smile, right before a knock was then heard from the door. “You expecting anyone, honey?” My dad asked, looking up from the paper again. “I was going to ask you the same thing. No matter, I'll go see who it is.” She replied as she made her way to the door. “So I was thinking about heading to the gun range today,” My dad started, putting down the paper and looking at me. “And was wondering if you’d like to join?” He asked, earning a smile from me. “Sound good,” I replied. “Good, once your mother gets back, we’ll ask her if she’d like to come along as well.” He said with a smile, but as soon as he said that, my mom came flying through the front window, landing on the table on her back. We quickly got up from our seats and stared in horror at my mom laying on the table with multiple stab wounds on her body and her eyes gouged out. “K-Kris?” my dad asked, hoping that she was still alive but she didn’t move a muscle. A hissing was heard as we turned around to see a black creature leading through the window. more specifically, a Changeling. “What in god’s name?” My dad said aloud. The Changeling hissed again, baring its fangs and charging at my dad. But my dad had lightning reflexes as he grabbed his chair and swung it across its face, knocking it to the floor and breaking his chair in the process. But determined for revenge, he grabbed one of the chair’s legs that had broken off and thrust it into the Changeling’s eye, killing it. He then swiftly walked over to me and put his hands on my shoulder, looking at me with a stern look. “Morgan, I want you to go to my office and get my guns, then meet me at the car.” He order. I nodded and was about to go to his office before I heard him yell out in pain. I turned around to see a large, crooked horn pierced through his chest. He screamed in agony as the horn lifted him off the ground and swung him off, making him rag doll against the wall and land on the floor, looking at me with the life quickly draining from his eyes. I slowly turned my head to the one who killed my parents and saw a Changeling, taller than the one my dad had killed with long cerulean hair and green, snake-like eyes. There before me stood the Queen of the Changelings. Chrysalis. “So, you must be Morgan Grey, the one who soullessly killed my General, Ripwing.” She stated, looking at me with calm eyes and an evil smirk. “It’s funny really, I pictured you much, much older, but I never thought that my General would be killed by a child such as yourself.” I just shook my head, knowing that none of this was real. “No, you’re not real, none of THIS is real, so screw you and screw this dream!” I exclaimed angrily and was about to walked out of the room, only for Chrysalis’ green aura to surround me and yank me back and throw me against the wall, hold me in place. I tried to free myself, but only to fail miserably, earning a chuckle from Chrysalis. “You’re not getting away that easily, Morgan Grey. Besides, one of my subjects would like to see you.” She said as she looked at the front window. I followed her gaze and saw a familiar Changeling fly in. RazorFang. Upon seeing me, his eyes glared at me and smiled, showing his pearly white fangs. “Your Highness? Permission to kill the man who murdered Ripwing.” He asked, still staring at me. “Make, him, suffer.” She replied slowly as Ripwing walked towards me, using his magic to grab a large cleaver from the kitchen. Seeing him grab it, I tried again to get myself out of the queen's grasp, but would not budge an inch. “You’re not real! None of you are real!” I screamed over and over again, hoping that I would wake up from this nightmare. As Razorfang finally got close to me, he leaned in towards my ear and whispered. “I am going to enjoy feasting on your flesh once I’m done with you.” He then raised the cleaver above his head, ready to bring it down on me. All I could do was just close my eyes in fear, awaiting the inevitable. I could see a blinding light from behind my eyelids and could feel myself being released from the magic as I fell to the floor. I opened my eyes, only to see that Chrysalis, Razorfang and the bodies of my parents had disappeared. I got up to look around but found that they weren't here anymore. I just stood there with a confused look on my face. “What the he-” “Are tho alright, Morgan?” A voice said, startling me. I quickly turned around to see a familiar pony standing right behind me. “Luna?” I exclaimed. None of this was making any sense to me. “Wait, how… Where-” I stuttered, only for Luna to raise a hoof to interrupt me. “You forget the I am the princess of the night and that I have to power to see into the dreams of other ponies, or in the case, other humans.” She stated, looking at me with caring eyes. “Oh, right… I guess that makes sense.” I said, trying to sink this all in. “Are you sure your ok, Morgan. I’ve been watching your dream for some time now and the reason why I stopped them from killing you was to ensure that it wouldn’t disturb your psyche.” She asked with a concerned voice. I shook my head and sighed. “Honestly your highness, I don’t know,” I replied glumly. Luna continued to look at me with her soft, cobalt eyes. “Come, why don’t we have a seat.” She said as we both walked into the living room. As we entered the room, I walked over to the couch and took a seat on one end and Luna laid her body on the rest of the space. She looked around the room, gazing at the furniture and items that hung on the wall. “So this is where you used to live?” She asked as I nodded in response. “Yeah, this used to be my old home. But it’s been way too long since I was last here and I betcha that Changelings burned the place to the ground.” I stated glumly. Luna just looked at me sadly, she knew how much I had lost over the years and that there was no way that I could ever get it back. “You know, maybe on our way to the Remnants, we could stop at your old home.” She considered reassuringly, but I just stared at her surprised and shook my head vigorously. “Absolutely not!” I blurted out, making her lean back in astonishment. “If I go back there, it would just open old wounds. I-it would break me down and make me unable to lead this group to safety. I… I… I-I’m just not ready to return home, not after everything that I’ve lost.” I finished, tears running down my face. Luna’s eyes softened upon hearing this and she nuzzled my arm. “Morgan.” She cooed. “Your mind needs closure and your home is the only place where you can achieve it. True, you don’t know where your parents are or what happened to them, but your home is the one place you remember being happy with them. If you go there, it will ease your mind and let you know that they still love you. Please, don’t just do it for me, Celestia or the others, do it for them.” She said, pointing a hoof at a picture of me on my family on the wall. It felt like minutes had gone by once Luna had finished. But in the end, she got her answer. “Goddamnit Luna, why do you have to be so convincing,” I asked, letting out a small laugh. “Because I care deeply about my friends, even if they are bipedal creature from another planet.” She explained with that cute giggle of her’s. God, that giggle always get me, she is the most beautiful thing I had ever laid eyes upon, but like I keep saying, it would never work. “There is one more thing I’d like to ask you, Morgan. If that’s ok?” Luna added as I looked back at her. “Ask away.” I insisted, but what she said next, I was not ready for. “What do you think of me?” She asked. “Um, e-excuse me?” I replied, confused by what she asked. “Ever since the sewer tunnels, when you talked to me about your parents, I could see something in your eyes, something that was directed toward me. I could also feel something when I’m around you but I do not know if it’s what I think or not. I guess what I’m trying to say is, do you have feelings for me?” She questioned, tilting her head slightly. I swear that God has it out for me because I think I can hear him laughing inside my head. Of all things she could’ve asked me, of all things, she had to ask me THAT? Are you freaking kidding me? I mean, part of me wanted to reply to her, saying that I did have feelings toward her, but I didn’t know that if I answered her question, I would either weird her out or make her upset. “U-u-um, well Luna, the truth is-” I didn’t get to finish as the entire room started to shake like it was just hit by a small earthquake. “The hell was that?” I questioned while holding on to the couch. “That means that it's morning and that you’re waking up.” She replied. “Really? Never had a dream where a ‘dreamquake’ told you that it was morning.” I stated. “It usually happens when I’m in the dreams of others, so you don't need to worry,” Luna explained with a smile. “Huh, that’s kinda interesting,” I said, amazed at what could happen when in her presence. Luna smiled at my amazement as she got up from her seat and then started walking out of the room before she then looked back at me, a smile still on her face. “See you in a bit, Morgan.” She said before her form started to disappear as she continued walking away. The environment around me then began to turn black until it was completely gone, and just like that, I awoke from my sleep.