Nightshade brought his hoof up to his face, a watch-like band lit up white as he barked at it. "Computer! What the hell was that?"
There was only static from the other end. The unicorn barged outside only to met with a peculiar sight, a pink dome seemed to encase the city. Suddenly a green flash caught his eye and another deafening explosion boomed. A barrier?! No wonder why I can't get a signal. Oh, this is bad.
"No. No. No, no! This is too early! Gin, we gotta get Ace outta here pronto!"
"Don't have to tell me twice, come on a buttercup."
Ginger carefully trotted along with Ace sticking to his side, Nightshade's eyes widened as he realized what the green flashes were. The changelings were trying to break the barrier, at this point, the flashes were almost rapid and the barrier didn't seem to be holding up too well. It was only a matter of time, and hopefully when the barrier broke-
Nightshade was pulled from his thoughts as he ran into another pony, and they both spoke simultaneously, "Sorry 'bout that."
Before he stood himself, a full-fledged copy down to the cutie mark. It was perfect, but something was wrong with it. That's when he made eye contact, its eyes were glossy, milky green.
"You're different... A defect in a changeling, if the situation was different, I might've studied you."
Without warning, Nightshade smirked as a black bolt of his magic pierced the double.
"Dark magic, packs a hell of a punch, doesn't it?"
Nightshade pelted through the streets, thoughts getting darker and darker as changelings rained down from the sky. While he ran he began to catch glimpses of something he didn't expect, the front of a concert hall was alive with yelling as a gray earth pony swung her cello like a battle-ax while others around her put up a fight. I gotta find Ace.
Ginger skid around a corner while Ace lagged behind, he tenderly assisted the prince.
"You heard what Nightshade said, we gotta go." Ginger prompted Ace.
"I know. And I'm sorry."
"For wha-!"
Ace dropped his head shamefully before grabbing Ginger by his muzzle, rapidly whispering apologies as the pony's pupils dilated. He watched as the ginger pegasus' his eyes slowly shifted to a bright color. He was thankful that Ginger didn't try to resist his influence. Ace could only hope that he wasn't hurting the other pegasus.
Said pony who was now under his magical influence stood rigid, "We're going to locate Nightshade correct? I'll lead the way, my lord."
Nightshade grit his teeth as he struck down another changeling. I shouldn't have sent them off! I hope Celestia has this under control. He sniped another one out of the air with a huff of exhaustion, he couldn't keep this up forever.
A massive changeling crashed through a flower shop, sending glass, dirt, and foliage everywhere. Besides the size of this one, it was different from the drones, it wore a sickly green suit of spiny armor. Nightshade grimaced as it glared at him with wild eyes before letting out a primal growl. Here we go again-
Nightshade's thoughts were interrupted as he spotted a familiar gray pegasus soaring past the changeling, the ginger pony following on his tail wasn't so lucky. Ginger didn't even have time to scream as the massive shape-shifter wheeled about, sending a powerful buck into his face, redirecting Ginger like a rocket through the front glass of a restaurant. Glass splintered and exploded in every direction. Pegasi were strong, but Nightshade cringed as he realized Ginger's fate. I did this. Nightshade grew numb as Ace's pleading rooted him to the spot. This is my fault! If I'd just played it safe and kept him in Ponyville...
"Nightshade," Ace's surprisingly calm voice snapped him out of his dark thoughts, "I can feel your exhaustion, let me at least do this last one right."
"What- "
Ace gave him no time to respond and could offer no response as he slumped over on the ground. Nightshade, on the other hand, had never been so energized in his life. Never so much untapped magic potential.
Rage.
He cast an invisible barrier on Ace's unmoving form with minimal effort as he began to advance on the changeling, his magic scorching the ground he walked.
"You... you think you're so tough, don't you?"
A sinister smile spread across the unicorn's face, his mane flopped over his eyes. The armored behemoth roared in defiance, much to Nightshade's sickening glee.
"Now. Hold still."
His magic struck the changeling and its hooves infused themselves into the pavement, effectively immobilizing his enemy.
"How does it feel? To have your enemy approach you while you aren't even able to move? I could only compare it to needing air underwater and swimming up, and right before you can surface a hoof drags you back down. You have no IDEA how much I want to see you suffer, to watch you squirm and writhe. But you are less than filth, not worth my time. Tell your Queen to burn in Hell."
The entire block was enveloped in a white flash.