//------------------------------// // The truth of the arrival. // Story: Lucky's Seven: The Changeling Hunters // by Lucky424 //------------------------------// “You sure about this Vanishing? I don't know if Ponyville is ready for a Changeling to live here yet.” The injured Changeling looked out the back of the Pelican at the angry faces in the town square. Closing his eyes, he took a few deep breathes and stepped off the ramp. Making his way to the fountain, he climbed on to a bench and turned to address the crowd. “Greetings everypony, my name is Vanishing Image. I know you all have strong feelings towards Changelings, but I have come here in the hopes that you will see we are not all bad. I come from a town that is inhabited by both ponies and Changelings, called Prancesylvania. It is my hope that whilst I am among you, you will come to see me as a friend, and not an enemy.” There was a murmur from the the crowd, the towns ponies having a debate amongst themselves. A blue unicorn with a blue and white mane stepped forward. “If you think you can just move in here after what your kind did at the wedding, and in Manehatten, then you've got another thing coming. We don't care if the ponies where you are from are stupid, we can see through your ruse!” The ponies had split up, about three quarters of them behind the mare, and they looked ready to form a lynch mob. The other quarter just stood there, unsure of what to do. A few stallions from the unicorns group started to stalk towards Vanishing, and I went to intercept, but was beaten by two ponies. The first was Technia. The second was Celestia. Her glare stopped all movements in the town. “My little ponies, I am severely disappointed in you. A friendly Changeling comes before you, and you resort to these measures? I have been to Prancesylvania, and there are no stupid ponies there. In fact, the majority of this town could learn a few lessons from them. Now......return to your homes.” The crowd dispersed, with the exception of the unicorn mare, and the undecided ponies. “I'm sorry your majesty, but I can't do that. I was there in Canterlot, I know how deceiving these things can be.” The sky started to darken and Celestia's eyes glowed with the intensity of the sun. She reared up and struck he fore hooves on the ground, causing lightning to burst from below them. “THOU WOULDST DENY OUR COMMANDS? FOALSIH MARE, THOU KNOW NOT OF WHAT YOU SPEAK. THOSE CHANGELINGS HAVE BEEN DEALT WITH. IT IS A NEW TIME FOR EQUESTRIA, ONE OF PEACE. AND WE WILL NOT HAVE OUR SUBJECTS CAUSE STRIFE WITHIN THE LAND. DOES THOU UNDERSTANDS?” The mare was on the ground trembling as soon as Celestia had started to shout. Once she had finished, the mare had fainted, and there was a small yellow puddle beneath her. I just chuckled to myself and turned to the inside. “Feather, get that mare home. And find some sand or something to cover her mess.” “Yes sir! You heard the Captain! Nova, Strike, get the mare home! Streak.......clean up that mess. What was that? Good I thought so, now move!” The three ponies trotted out, and the unicorns levitated the mare up and trotted towards a house on the far side of the square. One of the undecided ponies approached Vanishing, under a scrutinising gaze from Celestia. “Excuse me sir........but as you are going to be staying here for the time being, might I offer you a roof over your head for the night.....and perhaps a meal as well?” The Changeling looked at the stallion with a bewildered look on his face. “Um....thank you for the offer, but I already have a place to stay. This lovely mare here said I can lodge with her for the foreseeable future.” With his left fore hoof he indicated Technia, who's cheeks were turning a delightful shade of pink. “I see, well then.......welcome to Ponyville, I apologise that it wasn't our usual kind.” The stallion held up his hoof and Vanishing hesitated a moment, before pound his against the stallions. They smiled at each other before the stallion turned to leave. “My name is Time Turner, I am the local clock maker. If you ever need anything, come by my place and have a chat. I'll even get my wife to bake some muffins for us, providing she and our daughter don't eat them all first.” They shared a laugh and then the stallion was gone. I turned back to the rest of the squad. “You guys are on stand down until further notice, I'll find you if something comes up.” They immediately split up, Bolt and Hammer heading towards Sweet Apple Acres, Starfyre straight up in to the air, and Feather towards the library. Technia and Vanishing Image trotted off to where ever she lived. “Captain, I have something important to discuss with you. Where can we go that is private?” “The guard station ma'am, we'll be undisturbed there.” “Very well, lead the way.” “..........and the results they found intrigued me. Whilst you were in New Damarescus, I had the Bearers use them, and test how fast the magic worked. Using records provided to us by your AI, we determined that the magic field took the same amount of time since the Elements first recent use, to reach your world and the time between then and your arrival. When it did, it selected you to be transported to our world, and that happened in an instant.” “So what you are saying, is that I was brought here because of the Elements?” “Not quite. You see, the energy field surrounding your arrival zone was tinged with Element magic, which was the field being sent out. The return journey however, had the process sped up. It was again Element magic.....but mixed with another type. Were it not for this, I believe the energy field would have passed by your world and dissipated harmlessly. Promise me you won't get angry.” “What was the other type of magic?” “........Chaos magic. Captain, where are you going?” “....to have a chat. With a certain Draconequus.” I was suddenly lifted off the ground in a pale yellow aura. “I wasn't going to hurt him, I was going to thank him. If he didn't bring me here, then who knows what would have happened. Scootaloo would be dead, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle, as well as yourself and god knows how many other ponies would be under the rule of the Diamond Dogs,. And don't forget the Changelings. Without Discord brining me here, Equestria would be no more.” I was slowly lowered back in to my chair. “I know, which is why I have taken the liberty to thank him on your behalf. After your introduction, he wishes to stay as far away as possible from you. The poor thing is frightened.” We started to laugh loudly, just as Luna entered the room. “Pray tell, what is so funny?” I couldn't get my breath back enough to speak, and neither could Celestia. “Hmph. I assume you have told him already?” “Yeah....she's told me.” “I see. Well sister, I am afraid I must put a dampener on your spirits, this arrived moments after you left.” She levitated a scroll over to Celestia, who’s eyes went wide with shock, slowly bringing a hoof to her mouth. “What is it ma'am?” She slowly floated it over to me, and I grabbed it to take a look. To Princess Celestia and Luna, I am writing to you on behalf of all free Changelings and the Diamond Dog empire. We know that you have in your employ a strange creature, one who has caused tremendous amounts of grief to our cultures. We demand that he be brought before us to stand for his war crimes. We give you a month to deliver him to us, at the ruins of the Southern Hive. If he is not with us in one month, then we shall be forced to take action against it, which means invading you country. We have the force necessary to do so, and the will to back it up. We hope you come to the right decision for you and you subjects. Signed, Gleaming Mirage, High Queen of the Changelings So this is how desperate they were. The last 'free' Changelings and the Diamond Dog Empire, wanting me to answer for 'war crimes'. Ridiculous, it wasn't as the ones I had killed had any choice in the matter. It seemed I wasn't the only one who felt this way. “This absolutely preposterous! War crimes my flank! If they had not attacked our subjects and attempted an invasion of our country, twice, then maybe. But you were just protecting us! The nerve, why I feel we should ignore them, and meet them on the battlefield, removing them once and for all!” “Uh, Celestia, you are scaring us. Please, calm down sister!” The Sun Princess forced herself to sit down again, visibly deflating. She hung her head low and attempted to breathe slowly. “I am sorry Luna, but this.....filth, this Gleaming Mirage talks of war crimes against them, when it is them has made them against us! Something must be done.” “It will be ma'am. Trust me. Now if you be so kind, I have war plans to draw up. I don't know how long I'll be, so it would be best if I am left alone for now.” The two Alicorns nodded and left me in my office, the only light left on above my desk whilst I looked at the paper, trying to form a strategy. Four weeks later....... “Admiral, have you seen anything of Captain Rain?” The four humans turned to the Moon Princess as she approached the Luna just outside Ponyville, worry etched on her face. “The deadline has been reached. We must have his plans, or Equestria is at risk.” “Sorry your majesty, I haven't seen him for a few days. Come to think of it, I haven't seen any of the Hunters for a while either.” “The Captain....and the Hunters are not here? No.....they didn't........” She turned and galloped to the library, the humans following. She burst through the door, shocking the ponies inside. “Twilight Sparkle, what does thoust know?” “.....I'm sorry your majesty, what are you talking about?” “The Captain and his squad, what is their location?” “Some where in the Everfree Forest, they should be back by today.” Huffing in anger, Luna then ran towards the guard station, this time with six ponies in tow as well. She shattered the door in her haste to get inside, heading straight for the Captains office. The mares each split up and went to their respective partners room. Luna looked at the envelope with her cutie mark on the desk with suspicion, before tearing it open and reading the contents, which shocked her to the very core. Princess Luna and Celestia. It is with great regret that you learn of my actions this way, but it had to be done. The Changelings and Diamond Dogs only demanded me, so they shall get me. Do not worry, I plan on giving them a fight. I will not just drift off in to the night. If I have to give my life so that you remain safe, then the trade off is worth it. Do not shed a tear for me, for this is my choice. By the time you probably read this, I shall be long gone, more then likely already engaged in battle in the Badlands. In the top drawer of this desk is the battle plans for which I have created for you, in the event that they go against their word and attack anyway. The last line of defence shall be Appleloosa, if they get any further in, it is all over anyway. Have your rear guard set up there. Again, I apologise for doing things this way, but it must been done. In service to the crown, you and your sister, and all your subjects, Captain Fire Rain, signing off. A tear silently made its way down her cheek. “Luna, what is it?” She looked to the human stood in the doorway and floated the paper over to him, gauging his reaction as he read it. Dropping it to the floor, he turned back to the others behind him. “Get back to the Luna. I want everything at a hundred percent. Daniel, take the safeties of all weapons. We leave as soon as possible.” With that they left they building, heading towards their ship. Twilight trotted in to the office, and upon standing on the letter, picked it up to read it. “.....oh no. Luna, is this true?” The mare at the desk meekly nodded. “Then this one must be true as well.” Another letter was floated over to Luna, and she took it in her hooves to read. My dearest Twilight, I am sorry for doing this to you, but we are not patrolling the Everfree Forest. By now you will have learned of the Captains intentions, and that he has already left. I could not in good conscience allow him to do this alone. He does not know it yet, but the squad and I are going to follow him. We are doing this to ensure your safety. I know it is not what you want, but I am not only doing this for Equestria, but our unborn child. She should live in a world where she can be free, even if I can not be there for her. If all goes well, then I will return to you as soon as possible. If not, then we shall be reunited when the time comes. For you, I hope that is in a very long time. I must go now, but just remember one thing. Twilight, I love you with my entire soul. Colonel White Feather. Luna looked up at Twilight, who stood there with tears in her eyes. “What shall we do?” “I don't know, but we all got one of those letters. Even Big Mac. Applejack said he hasn't left his room for a few days now, and hasn't eaten anything.” A wild idea crossed Luna's mind, and she immediately went with it. As she went to run out of the guard station, a red stallion in barely fitting armour blocked her way. “Beggin' you pardon princess, but Ah would like permission t' travel to the Badlands and give mah assistance. Ah know Ah'm no longer a guard pony, but Ah still wish to do mah duty.” “Big Macintosh, you wear your fathers armour well. You have my permission, but first I must ask you to stop the humans leaving. My plan falters without their help.” He saluted to her and ran off to the field just outside of town. “Twilight Sparkle, it is time for you and the other Bearers to step up to the call as well. In your condition I would not normally ask it, but it would take too long to find a replacement for the Bearer of Magic.” “If mah brother thinks he can jus' charge of in t' a fight without me, he's got another thing comin'.” Luna turned to see the other Bearers stood there, determination upon their faces. “Lead the way your majesty, you know we've got you back.”