The Changeling War

by Captain Morgan


The Owatonna Outpost

A few minutes after we left Lakeville, I had decided to take a short nap on the way to Daryl's farm. It would be an hour's trip to get there since he lived in the countryside, south of Owatonna. Besides, after seeing what was left of my old home, seeing it reduced to nothing but ash and rubble, I deserved a change on scenery. It still pained me, how I saw that there was nothing left but it’s charred remains, and even though I expected to see it in the condition it was in, it still broke my heart. I would have been an emotional wreck after that if my pony friends hadn’t tagged along.

I’ve only known them for three days and yet they look up to me not just as a friend, but their protector. I could’ve not gone back for them when we first met at the stadium, I could’ve watched Ripwing brutally slaughter them and not do a damn thing to help them, yet I didn’t. When I looked back, I saw the fear in their eyes when they were surrounded by Changelings, and that told me that if I didn’t save them, not only would there never be another chance for our country to return to the way it used to be, but I would be killing many innocent lives, and I would regret the decision for the rest of my life.

“Morgan, time to wake up.”

I started to stir as I heard the soft, gentle voice of Luna call out to me. It still amazed me: I’m in a relationship with a pony who's a princess from another world. If I’d have told anyone about this, they would just think that I was just some lunatic who escaped from the loony bin when the Changelings arrived. As I slowly woke up, I shifted my head on the pillow that my head laid on, only for me to realized something, I don’t have a pillow, especially not one so… furry? I opened my eyes to see that my furry pillow, was Luna. I had fallen asleep on her, literally!

“Enjoy your sleep?” Luna asked with a sly smile. I instantly sat up straight with a shocked but embarrassed expression.

“Oh my god, Luna, I’m so sorry! I-I didn’t realize-” I was silenced when she placed a hoof to my lips.

“Don’t apologize, Morgan. You weren't exactly comfortable while you were resting, so I brought you close to me so that you could lean on me. You slept peacefully after that.” She explained with a warm smile.

“Oh, thanks then,” I replied while rubbing my eyes. “So, how long was I out?”

“Almost an hour. Will just informed us that we’re almost to the outpost a while ago.” She replied.

“Well that’s good to hear, It’ll be nice to see Daryl again after all these years,” I stated, a smile appearing on my face.

“It’s nice to see you happy about seeing him again, Morgan. Speaking of which, what else can you tell me about Daryl?” She asked. I sighed happily, this was a question I couldn’t refuse to answer.

“Well, I always saw him as a second father to me, he was supportive, brave, he's a great man to be around. Hell, we even had a lot in common when it came to firearms. When I turned eighteen, we spent the entire day on his farm, shooting off guns on a gun range that he set up on his property as a birthday present. Best day of my life that was.” I explained with a soft laugh.

“Sounds like he was fun to be around with.” She commented which I replied with a nod.

“The man was my idol, he understood me and I understood him. He had even offered me a job at his shop once I was done with school, which I happily accepted. But when the war started, I didn’t even bother traveling all the way to his farm to see if he was alive. I just presumed that he was dead just like everyone else I knew.”

“Well, I am sure that he’ll be very happy to see you again.” She stated as she leaned into me, caringly.

“Indeed he will, Luna, indeed he will,” I replied with a smile before I noticed that the bus had turned onto county road forty-five, the road that Daryl live on.

About ten minutes later, the bus slowed down before turning on a gravel road that led up to Daryl's farm. It was in a wooded area with lots of trees as well as a nearby pond, I swear, he couldn't have picked a more peaceful and secluded location. We came to a slow stop just outside his home, it was a small two-story house and a stone's throw away from that was a large six door garage which happened to be his shop. On the roof of his shop was a sign that read ‘Daryl’s Restoration and Auto Body: we fix cars new and old’. Luna and I were the first ones off the bus as we walked across the gravel road. Something didn't feel right, I would’ve thought we would be met with a few remnants guarding in the area, but we didn't see anyone.

“Will, I thought you said that this was an outpost for the remnants? No one's here.” Luna asked Will as he stepped off the bus along with his team behind him.

“Trust me, Luna, they’re here, all around us in fact.” He replied, mentioning to the area with his hand. I turned around and gave him a confusing look as I was gonna ask him what he meant until a man's voice filled the air.

“You are outnumbered,” A masculine voice shouted. “lay down your weapons, kneel to the ground and put your hands behind your heads, now!”

The sudden shout shocked both Luna and I as we look around to find out where it came from, but there was no one in sight. This worried me, the voice said that we were outnumbered, so that meant there were more people but we didn't see anyone, I didn't even see any movement in the treeline.

“Will, what’s the meaning of this?” I asked cautiously as I placed my hand on my holstered pistol, ready to use it if things got bad.

“Easy, son. This is just a precaution in case one of us is a changeling. Just do what they say.” He replied calmly, as he, along with his team got on their knees and put their hands behind their heads.

“Morgan, what going on?” Twilight questioned as she peeked her head through the door.

“Stay inside the bus, Twilight,” I replied, gesturing for her not to take another step. “Tell everyone to stay in their seats.”

She nodded and stepped back inside the bus. I then slowly and carefully fiddled with the strap of my gun holster until it came loose. I grabbed it with two fingers and held it out to my side and dropped it on the ground. I still had the pico in my pocket, but I dared not to pull it out and place it on the ground, I didn't want these guys to get the wrong idea and pump my body full of lead. I glanced at Luna who had a look of concern in her eyes as she looked for the person who spoke.

“Everything will be fine, Luna,” I spoke, getting her attention. “Just do what I do.” I then got down on my knees and put my hands behind my head as ordered. I glanced back at Luna who laid on the ground next to me, bowing her head and stretching out her wings to show she didn't mean any harm.

A minute later, a man in a military uniform and cap, accompanied by six soldiers brandishing automatic weapons walked out from behind the garage. They walked toward, stopping ten feet away from where we knelt. The man in uniform stared at Luna and I, studying us for a moment before turning to look at Will and his group. I decided that it would be safer if I told him about the pistol in my pocket rather than saying nothing about it. He had taken two steps toward Will before I said something.

“Just so you know, sir,” I spoke up, trying to be formal. He paused as he turned his head, staring at me with intimidating eyes. “I have a Beretta Pico handgun in my front right pocket, so if one of your buddies will kindly come over and remove the gun from my pocket, I would be grateful.”

The man in uniform didn't say anything but turn his head to soldiers on his left, who were both male, and gestured with his head towards me. The two men nodded and walked up to Luna and I, one aiming his gun at us while the other lowered his gun to check my pocket. The soldier felt the gun and swiftly pulled it out, backing away as the other soldier back away with him, his gun still traced on us. Seeing that I didn't make problems with them searching me, the man in charge turned his attention back towards Will and walk up to him until there was a three-foot gap between them.

“Identify yourself.” He ordered.

“First Sergeant William E. Henderson, identification code Kilo, Niner, Seven, Alpha, Delta, Oscar, Five, One, Whiskey, Zulu.” Will immediately replied.

At first, I thought the man in charge wasn’t satisfied with Will’s answer, because the next thing I knew, he pulled out what looked like a gun. But once I got a better look at it, I was relieved that it wasn’t actually a gun, it looked to be some high tech handheld scanner. The scanner itself was white with green streaks going down the handle and had a screen that was about the size of an android phone. The man held the scanner up to Will’s face, tapped a finger on the screen and blue lights emitted from the scanner. It scanned Will’s face for a few seconds before the lights died and something came up on the screen. I couldn’t see what exactly it said, but when the man in uniform read it, his body relaxed a little as looked back at Will, and held out his hand.

“Welcome back, Sergeant.” He greeted, his expression not changing as he helped Will up off the ground.

“Good to see you too, Allen.” Will greeted in return.

The man named Allen turned to the two soldiers standing before Luna and I and made a gesture. The two nodded as one of them collected the scanner he used on Will. The soldier walked up to us and started scanning our faces while the other aimed his gun at us. Once they had scanned both our faces, the soldier looked at Allen and nodded at him, signaling that we weren't changelings. He then returned his gaze back towards Will.

“You’ve been gone for a few days now, I take it the mission in the Dead Zone didn’t go well?” Allen asked.

“There were a few complications,” Will replied. “The Changeling guiding us inside was with the guard. He was trying to bail on us when we were being surrounded by the zone’s inhabitants, but he was quickly taken care off. We met up with Morgan and his friends who helped us escape. If it weren't for them, we’d still be trapped in that hell hole.”

“Well it's nice that you and your team are still in one piece, but I have just one small question for you. WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING!” Allan shouted at the top of his lungs. Will was taken aback by his outburst and was about to speak, only for Allen to continue.

“It’s bad enough that changeling patrols have doubled, almost compromising some of our operatives, but bringing the kid responsibly for Ripwing’s death, here! I should inform John about the danger you’ve brought upon all of us and have you-!”

“Lay off the old man, Allen!” A voice spoke up, one that I haven’t heard in five years. Everyone looked to the doorway of an opened garage, where a tall man with thinning hair and a chevron mustache was standing. He wore a green flannel shirt, worn jeans, work boots and had a pair of aviator sunglasses on. That man was none other than my dad’s old friend; Daryl Grossman.

“Besides,” He continued as he started walking towards me, grabbing the Pico form the soldier on his way by. “He’s brought you someone who has done what none of you dumbasses could ever accomplish: Kill a damn General.” Once he had walked up to us, he grabbed a hold of my arm and helped me up. He flashed me a smile and handed me the Pico before his expression turned serious again as he turned back towards Allen.

“Now enough with the cloak and dagger crap. Morgan and his friends are here to stay and that's final. Now tell your men to stand down.” Daryl ordered.

Allen stared at him with intimidating eyes while Daryl did the same behind his sunglasses. This lasted for only a moment until Allen gave an exasperated grunt and whistled. In an instant, groups of remnant soldiers appeared out of nowhere with changelings standing next to them. They were all around us, on top of the garage, along the tree line, there was even a group right behind Luna and I. These changelings, they used invisibility spells to conceal both themselves and the remnant soldiers from us so that we couldn’t identify their exact location. I had to admit, I was impressed by them.

Speaking of changelings, these ones were way different from the ones we’ve usually seen. They didn’t have pitch black chitin, sharp fangs, nor were their eyes a soulless blue. they were different colors varying from light blue, green, and other bright colors. It then occurred to me that these Changelings were reformed, just like the ones in Equestria Twilight had told me about. I had to admit, it was amazing to see them in this form, but while they did look at us cautiously, waiting for Allen to give the order to have us chased out of the area, they did look much friendlier than the ones who’ve been trying to kill us these past few days. Once all the soldiers and changelings unveiled themselves to us, Allen looked back at Daryl with hatred in his eyes.

“If the changeling guard shows up for this kid and comes for us all, it’s on your ass.” He threatened before walking away, along with the soldiers and changelings around us who went back to their business, only the ones you accompanied him stood by.

“He must be fun to work with,” I stated sarcastically.

“Tell me about it, guy always has a stick up his ass,” Daryl replied flatly before turned to me and smiling again. “Anywho, I wasn’t expecting to see you ever again.” He held out his hand, offering for a handshake which I gladly accepted.

“Yeah, I would've sent an email or phoned ahead to let you know we were coming, but with the nation the way it is, kinda makes it impossible,” I replied. Daryl gave a chuckle at my excuse.

“Ah, I've missed you kid.” He said before he turned his attention towards Luna.

“So who might this beautiful creature be?” He asked, making Luna blushed at his compliment before replying.

“I am Princess Luna, Princess of the night and co-ruler of Equestria.”

“A Princess, huh?” Daryl questioned as he turned to look at me. “I never took you for the kid to have friends with royal titles.” He jokingly stated, nudging my shoulder as I smiled.

“Yeah, well I guess you don't know enough about me then,” I replied.

“Apparently I don't!” He said, releasing a hearty laugh as his eyes focused on my friends who were looking at us from inside the bus. “So, how about you introduce me to the rest of your friends.” He suggested. I nodded and waved my hand over, gesturing to them that it was safe to come out. One by one they stepped off the bus and cautiously walked over to us, eyeing the soldiers.

“Everyone,” I announced. “I’d like you to meet a very good friend of my family; Daryl Grossman.” Daryl bowed before them upon speaking.

“It is a pleasure to meet you all and let me be the first person to officially welcome you to the Owatonna Outpost.” Daryl greeted as Celestia stepped towards him with a friendly smile.

“I am Princess Celestia and I as well as everyone here, thank you for your hospitality as well as standing up for us. We've endured through too much just to be turned away.”

“It not a problem, your majesty. Besides, a friend of Morgan is a friend of mine.” He replied as he clasped his hands together. “So, to what do I owe the pleasure of having the man who killed Ripwing and his group of friends upon my farm?”

“We're helping Morgan take back the city of Saint Paul from Razorfang and his army. We recently found this bus and we were told by Will that you could modify it into something more protective for all of us.” Twilight spoke up, mentioning to the bus.

Upon hearing this, Daryl started walking toward the bus as he started inspecting it. Raising the hood to take a look at the engine, getting down on his knees to look at the tires and the underside, and stepping inside to inspect the interior. He hadn't changed one bit. Daryl always took pride into fixing up cars, whether they be from the early forties or straight from the factory. It was nice to see him doing what he did for a living again. After a few minutes went by, Daryl finished up and walked back, taking off his sunglasses to look at us.

“Well… I think I have a few ideas to improve your ride. I can add some plating along the sides to beef up resistance, replace the wheels with armored ones, and upgrade the engine into something more futuristic. It’ll take a few days to actually complete the project, so I’m gonna have to keep your ride here for the time being.”

“But then how else are we gonna get to Albert Lea and meet up with the Remnants?” Luna questioned.

“Don't you worry 'bout that Luna, I'll radio in a transport to get you there, may take an hour or two for it to arrive here though.”

“I think we can wait for a while,” I replied. He smiled at my response before he turned to the soldiers behind him and made a motion with his hand, ordering the soldiers to come closer to us.

“Now, if you would kindly let these gentlemen here scan you for changeling magic, it will make trusting you a lot easier,” Daryl stated to our group, but got suspicious and worried looks from them, so I stepped in.

“It's fine guys, just let them do their job and we can all relax for a while,” I reassured as they nodded in understanding.

Seeing their response, Daryl made a gesture and the soldier with the scanner walked up to them, accompanied by two others. One by one they scanned for changeling magic, besides Shift who was a changeling herself. I had informed both Daryl and the soldiers about how helpful she's been to the group and that if it weren't for her, we wouldn't have made it this far. She may not be much of a fighter, but she did keep our spirits high. I also informed Daryl of our captives, Andre and Xander, who had ambushed us at the mall. With a quick command, he ordered two of the soldiers and had them take both brothers to the holding cells, where they would wait until our transport arrived. As we waited patiently for the soldiers to finish up, Luna started talking to Daryl about the scanners.

“What exactly are they using?” She asked him, watching the soldiers scan the others.

“They're called Changeling Detectors. It's a special scanner issued by the army back when there was still resistance fighting against them damn bugs. They're used to scan for any changeling magic so that we know who's a changeling and whos not, though not very many were made. Once the Changelings learned where they were being produced, they had the entire plant destroyed, along with all the workers so that they couldn't continue making them or share their knowledge. The Remnants only have about five of them, including this one, but they can't exactly hand them out to anyone who comes by.”

“Well, at least we have one way to identify Changelings,” I stated, earning a nod from him. A few minutes went by and everyone's scan came back negative of any Changeling magic.

“Well now, the transport’s gonna take some time to get here, so how about we get you all some lunch, you must be famished,” Daryl stated. Twilight and her friends agreed happily in response as they followed him to his home. I walked with them until Luna pulled me aside.

“Morgan, I wanted to speak to you, about what we spoke about at the mall.” She started. I knew too well what she meant by that, how she wanted me to teach her to use a gun.

“I understand what you mean, Luna, and while I'm still very cautious about it, I'm still willing to teach you. But, I am kinda worried about how Celestia will take it, about you wanting to use a firearm.” I replied worryingly.

“Don’t worry, Morgan, she trusts you would do anything to keep us safe, so I'm sure she'll allow it. But if it will make you feel better, I’ll be right by your side while you speak with her.” She offered.

“Well, I guess that would be alright,” I replied, still feeling a little nervous. Understanding that I was still tense about the situation, Luna leaned in close to me in a loving manner to soothe my worries.

“But for now, how about we get some lunch? I didn't have that much to eat this morning and I'm rather hungry.” She suggested.

I nodded with a smile as we started walking toward the house. I love Luna, and I would do anything for her just to keep her safe, but teaching her to shoot a gun, a weapon that can kill, it scares me. I don't want her using it on someone, only to regret the choice later on and fret over it. But knowing her, I'm sure she would want to find a diplomatic solution first. I just hope Celestia doesn't take this hard, I'm already in a relationship with her sister without her knowing and the last thing I want is to stress out a sun god.