The two colts guffawed as they entered the lobby. From the reception desk, Mags raised the pamphlet to cover the annoyed look on her face. There was a reason why she worked in a prison. It was to get away from all the noise that she had to constantly deal with when she gave birth to those two colts, Flim and Flam. When they departed, promising fame and glory, she took the opportunity to work in a place where conversation rarely, if ever, happened. But once again, life was smiling down on her, giving two obnoxious colts as presents.
"Well I suppose you need a rest for that big day tomorrow..." the colt chuckled.
"Yep," the Commander replied, " hopefully we won't blow something up next time around."
"Maybe," the colt answered, "until then though, rest up."
With that, the Commander trotted into his cell, the door following behind him. A green flash alighted the grating for a split second and the guard could see that the prisoner was rummaging through the sheets. Moving back to his stool, he took out a book and began to read.
The story in particular was one about a unicorn forced to live with these savages. Apparently, she had been a part of a squadron when she was captured by rogue griffins. Now, trying to evade her pursuers as well as rescue her own friends, the unicorn used everything her training had taught her. But stealth was always her strong suit.
"I bet a thousand bits that the Commander would love this stuff," the colt said to himself.
He had been in the Royal Guard for only a year, but in that year he had accomplished more then he could dream of. To be ridden of his wealthy parents and shallow friends. To develop true friendship with mates in the field. Real colts and stallions who worked strenuously to achieve their goals. Ponies he could call friends. But that was back in Canterlot. For now, he had to finish up his hours with a veteran.
It had actually been quite a surprise to his mates that he chose Clyde as his representative. Many voted for decorated officers, generals, or even Shining Armor himself. And yet, to him at least, Clyde stood out as a veteran with a backstory. He had been one of the few survivors of the war who still served under Celestia's leadership. While others retired, he remained steadfast in the field of combat: a trait that the colt wanted to learn for himself.
As the Commander's snores emanated from the wooden behemoth of a door, the colt sighed inwardly. The situation was as bad as it had ever been. With changelings on the loose, who could be safe?
%%%%
Reflect felt a soft, warm heat surround his body as he began to come out of unconsciousness, his eyes shifting hazily to get a bearing on his surroundings. He was in a home, his carapace resting on a soft linen sofa. Apparently, his disguise had been pre-set for him. A blue earth pony by the looks of it.
"Go figure." he muttered under his breath, his hooves making contact with the wooden floor.
Pulling himself up for a stretch, he noticed that it was dark outside. How long had he been out? A few minutes? Or a few days? It seemed as though the events of last week's invasion were nothing more then a distant memory. Vapor and Zeth were still out there, and he made a silent promise that as soon as he left this house, he would go looking for him. Enough distractions had already kept him away from that.
However, his ears picked up a vibration in the air. Was it...humming?
Moving towards the source of the humming, he almost fell on his wings at the sight of a green pegasus mare, the same one that had knocked him out, cleaning dishes in the sink.
"Feeling better Reflect?" the pegasus asked casually without glancing his way.
"How do you know my name?" Reflect began cautiously.
"You can drop the guise for now Reflect," the mare said nonchalantly, "you should remember me, we're basically siblings."
"So it seems," Reflect mused, "Mind telling me what the heck I'm doing here?"
"We rescued you," the changeling began, "and since you feel good, mind helping me wash the dishes?"
Reflect was going to ask why she had even bothered to use them when he realized that it was no use arguing with this creature. Shrugging, he began to pour soap and scrub the plates with a sponge.
"If you're wondering what I'm doing," the mare said, "you had developed a fever earlier. I had to get the medicinal ingredients and concoct a quick antidote. It took me the greater part of the day to do it and when I finished, well, I sorta fainted."
"I would have been able to help if you hadn't knocked me out so suddenly," Reflect hissed.
"Well," the other changeling said, "It wasn't like I had much of a choice. We needed to get you out as quietly as possible. The little noise that we did make was enough to alert the guards of our presence."
"Well," Reflect began, "at least let me know the next time you decide to do that. I've been knocked out twice already."
The changeling gave a chuckle. "Will do."
After they finished the dishes, the mare reverted to her changeling form. She the proceeded to tell him what has been happening. Apparently, an invasion was being prepared to commence at this very night, with changelings stationed in every household and cafe, ready to strike on the mark of whoever was in charge. As it turned out, the Commander was still in prison, though he would hopefully be released in the chaos. With the attack already being planned, she had dragged Reflect over to care for him in more ideal conditions.
When the changeling finished her tale, Reflect merely sighed.
"Have you found Zeth or Vapor?" he asked hopefully.
The changeling sighed. "No, I've not had the pleasure of seeing your two friends. Not all of us are here you know."
"I know," Reflect said, "but still, I made a promise to myself that I would find them. And by Chrysalis, I will do it!"
She nodded, knowing that through no ounce of reasoning could she convince her brother to stay another second in this household.
"Then," she said reluctantly, "I guess you have to go."
"Pretty much," Reflect mused, "but I am grateful for the care you've given me...ummm..."
"Transparence," she said, already knowing that the changeling still could not recall her, "my name is Transparence. You were in my class and I was the leader of that one operation the Queen threw you in."
"Ohhhhh..." Reflect grinned at her as the realization hit him. If he survived, maybe they would still have more operations to come.
"Take care Transparence," Reflect said as he bid her farewell.
"And good luck." She opened the door for the changeling to step out. The wind had picked up again, but with a deep breath, Reflect stepped into the cold, his mind set on the objective at hand.
With a sigh, she reverted back to her disguised form and laid down on the sofa. Her mind went back to all the other changelings out there, hiding in homes and in trees, just waiting for the time to strike. It would be an ambush to be remembered throughout all ages. A battle to be marked as either the rise or downfall of the hive.
So as she pondered on these thoughts, the knock on the door took her by surprise. Rushing to the latch, she pressed her hoof down to shine the lamp on the gold-plated helmet of an Equestrian guard. Gulping, she managed to speak.
"Hello there..."
"Captain Rosemary," the stallion seemed to growl, "and may I ask what a mare such as yourself is doing in the home of the florist, who happens to be on vacation?"
%%%%
Thresh looked back and forth, the moonlight circling around him, giving his contour a milky white gleam. But as far as he was concerned, it could have pointed a spotlight at him. No one would be awake at this time, making it almost pointless to have a disguise. By the time anyone even found out what events would be taking place, Thresh would be halfway across with his bounty.
"What's the plan Thresh?" his second-in-command asked.
"Get the bounty, bring it to the High-General, and then bring it to the Matriarch."
There was no rebuttal to this plan. It was simple and on top of that it was easy. There was only one guard on duty and at this time, he was probably snoozing.
With a jerk of his head, the four changelings stuck to the shadows casted off by the buildings, their jet-black shells providing the ultimate camouflage. Creeping towards the jailhouse, each one thought of his own award that awaited him at the end of the mission. The High-General promised riches greater then the Matriarch. Forbidden potions and items so rare that the mere thought made their mouths water. But Thresh had little concern for that. All he cared about was serving the Matriarch.
It was weird in a way, how changelings worked. Technically, they all had Chrysalis as their Queen. But as time flew on, the swarm was too crowded for the Badlands. So then changelings had to move to other parts of the country, forming settlements ruled by a general. Now that he came to think about it, the Matriarch seemed out of place in the hive. When she arrived, the colonies were in great distress. Power-hungry individuals were causing revolutions that began to raise awareness of changeling habitats.
Her arrival signaled the end to that. The starvation vanished as order was reestablished. The ones responsible for acts of retaliation were quietly assassinated, and before any of the pioneer settlements knew it, she had established a hold on them all, ruling them as if she was a queen. But still her origins were shrouded in mystery. Her purpose unclear, and even now her current actions known only by her most-trusted advisors within the Council of Generals. Thresh noticed that his second in command was feeling weezy.
"What's wrong Forge?" he asked, his voice filled with worry.
"Nothing Thresh," Forge said, "just a little anxious to get back to the settlement you know."
"Don't worry, we'll be back before tomorrow's sunset."
Thresh had little care for most changelings, as he was willing to gut them like fishes. However, Forge was different. He could trust his life with Forge, a changeling who thought top-hats were still stylish. If he could guarantee anything on this mission, it was that he was going to get his friend home. Even if he had to kill the Queen herself.
For safe measure, the four bandits dissolved in a flash of green, now showing a group of tan-colored ponies. As the four stallions in moustaches looked each other over, Thresh couldn't help but chuckle at how their hats still remained. It was a simple trademark, but one he was willing to allow. With a silent prayer, he led them to the ruby-red doors.
%%%%
The sound of the entrance creaking made the guard look up. Four roughly-built stallions with prominent moustaches and grime-covered hats stood awkwardly at the foot of the door.
"Can I help you gentlecolts?"
"Yes," one of the stallions said, "we were told that you needed some guards to watch the shift for the night?"
"Really now," the colt uttered. He had seen his fair share of law stallions in the past, but these four seemed to be from Appleloosa by the looks of it. Way to far out to be in Ponyville. But who knew, forces were being sent all over the country to help clean up the infestation.
"I'm pretty sure Clyde would have alerted me about something like this..." the colt informed, "maybe I ought to check it out..."
But he never got to finish his sentence as a blast of red energy slapped him in the chin, sending the colt right threw the wall. Other then the twitching of his left hind leg, the body was as still as a log. Exhaling, all four let the green flames consume them, reverting them back to their changeling selves.
"What is with these guards in checking in with their higher-ups?" Forge inquired.
"Beats me," Thresh murmured, "Cloak, why don't you go and open that cell door-"
As Cloak made his way, a stool whizzed a mere inch in front of Thresh's snout, shattering itself against the wall. Arching his head to meet the attacker, he was surprised to see a tired-old mare with glasses snorting at him, her eyes glowing with enmity.
"Why you shape-shifting varmin!" she hollered as she grabbed another stool.
Seeing as he was lucky she missed the first time, Thresh fired two shots for safe measure. The mare managed to doge the first projectile, but that left her right side open for the next one. The soft brown fur met the hard concrete barricade with a crack. Then, the old nag was as silent as a pile of rags.
"Now that that's over with," Thresh said," Cloak, could you do the honors?"
%%%%
The Commander was having another terrible dream. In it, he saw a pegasus jump in front of two guards, similar to the ones that took Reflect away. For a second, she seemed to fight them off, but as time progressed, it was clearly a losing battle. So turning to face the crowd that had gathered, she changed shape. Her tan coat became a sickly greenish-black, her eyes now cold and burning with fury.
Now he flashed forward to that same pegasus, holding a party cannon in one hoof. As he made his way to her, she turned the cannon and...fired at will!
The sound of the blast was so realistic that he woke up with a shriek. After a second's rest to catch up with his thoughts, he noticed that light was pouring in from the cell entrance. In fact, somepony was walking in the entrance. As his sensitive eyes squinted at the glare, he could make out a pair of moth-like wings and fangs. It was a changeling!
"Hey you there!" he called out, his hooves waving merrily.
The changeling tilted its head, as if unsure as to what to do in this situation, and then he called out to the door. "I found him!"
"Wait a second," the Commander blinked, "are you saying this is a rescue mission?"
"Errrr...sure." The changeling began to sluggishly nod up and down, his bowler hat bobbing like a piston.
It had taken some time, but finally his hive had rescued him! The Commander couldn't contain his joy as he jumped off the walls. When he finally rebounded to the floor, he did a quick dance before clamping onto the changeling.
"You have no idea," the Commander said, "how grateful I am that you have arrived. I mean I thought that you guys were all about forgetting me and stuff. But it turns out that you weren't. Which is all good in my story!"
"Yeah," the changeling murmured, "whatever...just come with me now and we'll get you back to the hive."
"Oh goody goody!" He bounced up and down like a foal who had won his stuffed animal at a circus.
The door had apparently been blasted into cinders, which explained the realistic sound of the cannon in his dream. As the two stepped into the lobby, the first thing he noticed was that all his saviors wore some sort of hat. One was a brown fedora with a rip in the center. Another one had a shiny top-hat on while the other two bore bowler hats. They all looked bewildered to see him.
"Thresh," the changeling accompanying the Commander said, "we rescued the general, now let's go and get him to safety."
"Alrighty then," the changeling with the fedora said after a momentary pause. Then, turning to face the Commander, he stated, "Let's get you out of here."
As the changelings passed through the ruby-red entrance, the Commander noticed that his guard had been knocked right through a wall. His body was still emitting a low groan.
"Hey," the Commander pointed a hoof towards his twitching friend, "Is he going to be alright?"
The one known as Thresh merely shrugged and told him that time was of the essence. The Commander waved a hoof back at his centurion. He felt awful about escaping, but alas it was inevitable. It had to happen eventually.
"If it makes you feel any better," the Commander whispered under his breath, "I was secretly hoping that Clyde would be the one to get blasted in my escape."
As they neared the block, the armored changeling took one last look at the yellow-bricked building. A tiny wisp of smoke was still coming off of the rubble around the guard, but other then that, it looked picture perfect. Almost friendly even. The Commander couldn't help but think of all the times he had shared in that establishment. From the arrival of Reflect to the pranks, to the Daring Doo books, and now to his escape.
"Thanks for everything."
He would never forget this experience. After all, he was the only changeling to have gone to the dungeons and lived to tell the tale. Maybe he would even write a book, along with the accounts of several other changelings out there. But what would the title be?
And with those last words still leaving his lips, he trotted off to catch up with the group, who disolved into the shadows.
%%%%
Transparence was sitting in a solid stone room, the only objects around her being two chairs and a steel table. A light bulb at the top dangled on a single thread, its beam animating the grey surface of the rock.
The sound of a door opening made her look up hopefully, expecting to see a brother or sister she knew who could bail her out of this mess. But alas, a griff-looking unicorn stood over the iron door, his face showing off a grim scowl.
"Have a seat Miss," the captain offered.
Heaving a sigh, the green pegasus buzzed her wings to the metal chair and sat down with a soft thump. The captain took a seat across from her, his horn organizing a set of white papers.
"Now Miss..."
"Mint Spring." she said calmly, "My name is Mint Spring, captain."
"Ms. Spring," the captain seemed to hang on to the last word, trying to express it with as much hate and accusation as he could manage, "you do know about the changeling invasion correct?"
"That I do," Transparence answered, "and I heard it was awful."
The guard only gave a flicker of surprise, before resuming his solemn position. It was hard not to laugh at how dedicated he was to the task of making her feel uncomfortable. Maybe he wanted to see if she would break down.
"Quite so," her interrogator remarked, "it was one of the worst incidents to ever befall Canterlot. However, there has been rumors going around of changelings on the loose. Surely you've heard of those?"
"No," she answered," I don't pay much attention to the papers."
"You should," the captain commented, "but you should also understand why it is illegal and mighty suspicious to stay in another pony's dwelling."
"For the last time," Transparence moaned," she said I could stay there. Because of the invasion, I had to move to Ponyville to find a job. My friend said she would take me in and so I stayed at her house. I've been a bit sick, so I needed to go and get medicine at the market place. I have nothing to hide."
"Maybe," the captain said," and maybe not."
"Oh come on!" she shouted, her hoof slamming the table. "Don't you have jobs that you ought to be doing? Why are you interrogating ponies in the middle of the night when you could be out there, watching out for danger?"
"Be aware, Ms. Spring," the captain assured, "that I have every soldier working on the double. They've been told to use lethal force on any changeling who resists arrest. Now, I'm not questioning you because I have nothing else to work on. I'm questioning you on suspicion. If you're not a changeling, then just relax, have a cup of tea, and answer the questions."
"Okay," she muttered, settling back down on the chair.
The rest of the conversation went without much opposition from either party. So far, she had stuck to her story and had made it as believable as one could get it. The captain merely scribbled on some of his papers, gave a cough, listened for a second, and repeated the process. It seemed as though the sun was going to rise any minute when the captain finally stopped probing her for answers.
"So far," he said, "you've passed with shining colors..."
Transparence exhaled in relief, happy to get back to her house and sleep it off.
"But I simply need to conduct a quick test on you to make sure you're not a changeling."
She froze solid. This was the part that every changeling dreaded. The spell would have no effect on a real pony. But it could peel off the disguise and expose any changeling it touched. It was the simplest of tests to conduct and there was no way a changeling could fool it.
"Can't we do it later?" she asked, her eyes pleading with the captain, "I'm awfully tired you know..."
"It'll be quick," the captain said as he stood up, "so quick you won't even feel a thing."
His horn began to glow, the blue energy whizzing as it prepared to smite her down. She only had one option, and as stupid as it sounded, she knew waiting for her impending revelation would just get her in hoofcuffs.
She tackled the captain, pinning him against the wall. His eyes wide in shock ,the unicorn made a move to scream for help. However, Transparence was two steps ahead of him, head-butting him in the forehead. The force was sufficient enough to knock him down to the floor. Taking in a deep breath, she unlocked the door, noticing that the hall was relatively empty.
Quickly pacing herself, she walked briskly across the lobby and out of the red-brick building. As soon as she was in the outdoors, she sighed in relief and took off into the moonlight. She needed to get as far away from that place as possible. As she whizzed by, she noticed a caravan situated near a tree. It occurred to her that this placement was so unusual that it appeared that it could be harboring a changeling or two. But then again, none of her brothers or sisters were that stupid.
Well...at least not stupid enough to just go with any changeling they met off the carapace.