//------------------------------//
// CHAPTER 3: Behold the First Gate - Part III 
// Story: One Pony Death Punch 
// by Sol Nemesis 
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Canterlot's central business district was pure pandemonium. Changeling invaders dove from rooftops firing green bolts with their curved horns. Fleeing ponies that were struck fell where they stood. They lay motionless from special magic designed to paralyze but preserve the ability to see, think and feel. Maximize terror, Maximize harvest. Changeling standard operating procedure. 

The attack was so sudden, that the royal guard didn't have a chance to fully mobilize, most were providing security for the Royal wedding. Which at that time was already fully under the Changeling Queens control. 

Some of the guard and local ponies were able to rally and resist but they were isolated and fighting holding actions in barricaded businesses or alleys. No pony's effort was affecting the Changeling invasion in any meaningful way.

That is until the ground in front of Donut Joe's donut shop exploded in a cloud of dirt, dust and debris. Three shadows stumbled out of the obscuring dust cloud. Rocky came first dusting himself off and massaging his front two hooves. Cadence came second, shaken but alert, levitating a slack jawed, wide eyed Twilight Sparkle behind her out of the new hole in Canterlots' street.



Only one changeling noticed the new arrivals at first. He fired a bolt of green light, which was easily side stepped and ignored by Rocky. The earth pony seemed more concerned with making sure his hooves were alright than anything else going on around him at the moment. Enraged at how easily the attack had been avoided, the changeling charged at him with fangs barred. The changeling was finally recognized, as Rocky's hoof connected with said fangs in a blur of orange, sending broken teeth flying and a changeling stumbling back before Rocky's rear hoof connected with a *CRACK* against its neck sending the black bug careening into a nearby souvenir stand.

Cadence gave Rocky his staff back, dumbfounded at the display of violence. Rocky seemed unmoved as he thanked her with a grateful nod. As for Twilight, she made movements with her mouth but no sound came out, so Cadence had to interpret for her. Though her interpretation was merely a question both of them seem to have.

"What did you do?"

Rocky raised an eyebrow, pondering the question. "I don't supposed the arts of Tei-Rah-Doh mean anything to you? Ever seen a Master of earth pony magic? What about martial arts?"

Before either of them could reply, a green bolt struck Rocky in his blind spot. He grit his teeth fighting the magic paralysis before being tackled by yet another changeling. A beam of purple magic saved him as his attacker was blasted off and straight through a storefront window. Finally shaking off the effects of the spell, Rocky got off the ground and stood on his hind legs assuming the stance of his so called First Gate.

"Quit horsing around! We have to stay alert!" Twilight exclaimed. It seemed that she had finally snapped out of her stupor.
Rocky snorted but gave a nod as more changelings began to approach, cautiously this time. 

"There's too many." Cadence exclaimed worriedly. "Rocky, Twilight, I don't think I need to tell you that I'm in no condition to fight." 

Rocky risked a glance away from his opponents and back at Cadence. The wound on her neck had stopped bleeding but her other injuries were still plainly visible through the discoloring of her coat. Cadence must be protected. Memories of the suffering he felt through her was unbearable. He silently vowed never to feel her suffering again.

"Twilight do you know any healing magic?" 

"Just the basics, but there's no time for that now."

Several Changelings launched themselves from all directions at Cadence ignoring her two protectors. Classic predator mindset. Rocky thought before wrapping his hooves around Cadences barrel and relocating her to a nearby rooftop in a single bound. Twilight teleported almost immediately right next to them. 

"Twilight is right." Cadence said wobbling after being handled so roughly. We need to get into the castle and crash my own wedding. I have to rescue my Shining!" Twilight agreed in mid-conjuring of a shield spell to block several more green bolts. 
"Just one problem. There's too many! We'll never make it by ourselves."

Rocky spat into his hooves and rubbed them together.

"Leave that to me. Their queen is in that castle correct?"

"Yes." Twilight explained.

"If she is defeated, then the rest of these bugs will rout?"

"There's a good chance. If I can get Shining Armor to activate his shield spell, we can expel all the changelings and free Canterlot." Cadence said hopefully.

Rocky considered his options. It should be easy for him to get into the castle and challenge the bug queen to a duel on his own. But there was no way he would leave Twilight and Cadence to their fates here. IF they stayed together he would have to fight defensively, and the longer the fight went on, the more of a chance that Twilight and Cadence could get hurt. But if he stayed and fought, drew the enemies attention away from Twilight and Cadence, then they could potentially make it to the castle unmolested. If his sense about Twilight was correct, she was more powerful than any unicorn he had met thus far. It was a long shot, but they could stand a chance. 

Any further thoughts were interrupted as the enemy descended on them. Rocky delivered a uppercut to one changeling who thought to catch him in his blind spot. He grabbed hold of another who sought to bite him on his rear legs before hoisting him into the air and pile driving him through the roof of a business. 

"Go then! I'll hold them off! Just please tell me you'll have a plan."

"What about you?" Twilight asked with genuine concern.

A changeling tried to feint an attack at Rocky but then at the last minute sidestepped to dart for Cadence. His fangs were about to sink into her neck when he was suddenly yanked back. Rocky had gotten hold of the Changeling's rear leg with his teeth. Biting hard eliciting a sickening crunch. He swung the black bug up and over to slam into the rooftop sending shingles in all directions. He repeated slamming the changeling over his head and onto the roof top before flinging him at another Changeling who had frozen in fear from the sheer brutality of it all.

"I wont fall today. On my honor." Rocky flashed a toothy grin, bits of broken chitin stuck between his teeth. Satisfied, and even a little impressed with that demonstration of strength and skill, Twilight nodded and with a flash had teleported her and Cadence away and out of line of sight from the changelings. With them gone, the surrounding changelings surrounded Rocky and waited for him to make a move.

Rocky spat out pieces of chitin in disgust, wiped his mouth and assumed his First Gate fighting stance. 

"Alright, Changelings was it?" Rocky exclaimed embracing the feeling of anxiety that preceded a life and death struggle. "Come git some." Rocky's grin caused the surrounding Changelings to step back. With a single bound, Rocky closed the distance and the carnage continued.

====

"Where did you find this guy!?" Twilight whispered loudly as they crept through the alley's closer to Castle Canterlot. 

"He found me remember?" Cadence hissed back. "He's an empath, just like myself. Clearly a capable stallion."

"You're not cheating on my brother are you?" Twilight asked raising an eyebrow.

"No! I would never betray my Shining. Twilight why would you even say such a thing." They stopped under the shadow of a food cart.

"I'm sorry I just...I was really excited when I thought I might have you for a sister-in-law, and then that wicked imposter..." Twilight seemed to be on the verge of tears. "This whole things is just getting to my head. I'm having a hard time trusting anything right now." 

Cadence wrapped Twilight in her hooves and stroked her mane. Twilight hugged her back. "It's okay Twilight. It's okay. Everything will be over once the queen is dealt with. Not just Shining, but Rocky and all of Canterlot is counting on us."

They arose and started again towards the castle. Filled with determination.