15 - Captured
Earlier That Day
Celestia's sun began to rise, signaling the beginning of a brand new day. But for three ponies, it was just a direct continuation of the previous; for they did not wake in comfortable beds, or greeted by loved ones - for those three ponies were continuing their trek across a barren wasteland, endlessly tailing a group of Changelings.
"Where the hay are they going?" Longshot growled. "We've been going all night and they have done nothing of interest but WALK, lots and lots of walking..."
"Longshot?"
"Yeah boss?"
"Shut up," Shining Armor deadpanned.
But Shining knew Longshot was right, the group ahead had just been walking continuously, with seemingly no purpose. He could feel that something wasn't right.
"Hold up, they've stopped," Vladimir informed the others, holding up his hoof to signal them.
Looking around quickly, Shining spotted a nearby cluster of rocks to both hide and keep a vantage over the changelings. "That outcropping over there, move it!" Quickly the three stallions scampered over to the nearby rocks and ducked behind them.
"It's about time," Longshot gasped as he took a swig of water. "Needed the rest."
Shining turned to his Lunar counterpart. "Vlad, how's our supplies?"
"Holding steady, we should be good for a while yet. Though I would really like those changelings to hurry up, I'm a nocturnal creature - I'm not meant to be wandering through a sun heated desert during the day."
Shining looked at the two in front of him, between the heat and lack of sleep both of them were exhausted, and Shining couldn't say he was doing any better.
"When we get back, perhaps we should include wasteland survival into the standard guard training program," Vladimir suggested.
"Great, you can call it the wasteland survival guide; it'll be a hit I'm sure. You can just shove the new recruits into the badlands and hope for the best!" Longshot remarked.
Shining just rolled his eyes, he didn't have the energy to reprimand the wisecracking sergeant. Still Vladimir's suggestion might not have been such a terrible idea, it was not hard to imagine that the hostilities between Equestria and the hive would kick off into all-out war...
'No, don't think like that right now, for right now Twilight is all that matters.’ Shining looked up into the morning's sky, silently praying that his sister was OK.
Longshot unholstered his crossbow and peered over the top of the jagged rocks, looking at the other group through his weapons scope.
"What are they doing?
"Huh?"
"I asked, what are they doing now?"
"They're just standing there, and talking. That's all they ever do, just stand there and talk. And when you ask me again in five minu-"
Both Shining and Vlad were caught off guard as Longshot suddenly stopped talking. Sharing a quick worried glace, they turned back to him, "...Longshot?"
"Um, guys, you may want to look at this."
Both captains scrambled to Longshot's side and looked over in the direction of the Changeling group. Said group was now undisguised, staring right at them, and had set themselves up in a defensive formation. The sound of wings buzzing could now be heard.
Shining nudged Longshot in the side. “They spotted you didn’t they?"
"Hey, they all turned and looked directly at me, it is like they knew we were here the whole time!" Longshot protested.
And then Longshot's words finally registered in all three.
"The whole time..." Longshot muttered.
Vladimir sighed in exasperation. "This... is a trap, isn't it?"
Shining sighed. "I think so yes."
"They're right behind us aren't they?"
"Probably."
Slowly all three turned their heads back around, to the small hiding spot created by the rocks. Sure enough, standing there lining the top of the out cropping was another group of heavily armed, and very smug looking changelings.
"Well, horseapples."
The changelings sprung forwards at the group, fangs bearing down onto them. Shining did a quick one-eighty and bucked the first changeling in the face, sending both him and several teeth flying. But a moment later a flash of green bolted straight towards him - magenta aura burst to life around his horn as Shining brought up a shield to intercept the spell. Shining saw Longshot and Vladimir jump to the side as more putrid green bolts were launched through the air at the Equestrians, coming from both the changeling squad and the three they were previously following.
Dodging the spellfire, Longshot found himself just outside the cover. He quickly brought up his crossbow, aimed, and pulled the trigger. Just as the bolt was let fly, a changeling got in close and knocked his hoof to one side, causing the shot to go wide. The two struggled for a few moments before Longshot whacked him around the face with the stock of his favorite weapon. With that changeling dazed, two others piled forwards to take his place, not giving Longshot enough time to reload. One of his would-be assailants was suddenly knocked to the ground as a Captain Vladimir smacked into him head first. This caused the second to hesitate, seeing his friend go down so quickly. Longshot took the opening as a chance to give him a strong blow to the top of his head. He went down like a sack of spuds.
"Huh, thanks Vlad," Longshot thanked, breathing heavily.
The thestral looked up to respond, only to be hit straight in the face by a bolt of sickly green magic.
Longshot swung around to see the Changeling he dazed earlier now up and hissing threateningly, his horn smoking from a recently fired spell. Behind him the original Changeling group moved up to surround the EUP sergeant.
"Oh crap."
Shining Armor blasted another group of the Changelings away with a powerful blast, sweat dripping down his fur. Twilight may be the magical powerhouse of the family but he was no slouch either. Without warning, another black figure jumped at him only to receive a hoof to the face.
'How did we not notice a group this large?'
Shining finally managed to pick up his sword from their discarded equipment and supplies, and swung it at the same changeling as before as he made another attempt, slashing across his carapace. The changeling hissed in pain and made a hasty retreat away from the Solar Captain.
Panting, Shining scrambled out of the rocks and prepared for more combat. To his horror, he was met by at least half a dozen changelings holding spears to the throats of both of his friends.
Vladimir lay unconscious on the floor, while a now disarmed Longshot simply shrugged against the three holding him down. Shining Armor gazed at them disbelievingly.
"Surrender now, Captain Armor," one of the guards, the leader by the looks of him, hissed while pressing his weapon closer to Longshot's throat, drawing a little blood.
Shining stared at the sight a little longer. He took in the state of his friends, and the changeling force now surrounding him. He was still somewhat surprised they knew his name, before considering his own role in the attack on Canterlot. He begrudgingly thrust his blade down into the sand and sat on his haunches in defeat. A changeling quickly raced up to the defeated unicorn and placed a magic suppression ring onto his horn.
Straps were tied around Vladimir's wings and the unconscious thestral was swung onto the back of one of the stronger changelings. Longshot and Shining Armor were herded together in the middle of a circle of their foes with Vladimir quickly being chucked unceremoniously beside them, they then began to sift through the Equestrians' belongings.
"Well, we're not dead," Longshot pointed out. Shining glanced at his friend, but didn't make any response.
As they continued to examine the ponies' effects, Vladimir groggily came back to consciousness, the low-yield stun spell cast upon him wearing off. He looked up at the black chitin covered figures around him, and immediately wished he was still asleep.
After a while the leader of the changeling's walked up to them in a confident, authoritative manner. He stood staring at them with no visible emotion in his glowing blue eyes, before finally speaking.
"You have trespassed upon the territory of her Royal Highness Queen Chrysalis, you shall be taken back to the hive for judgement by the Queen and Princess as was ordered by her highness herself should this situation arise."
"Princess..." Shining muttered, his attention caught.
"You shall accompany us without resistance, any of said resistance would be... unwise."
"Well then..." Longshot started, a smirk on his face.
"Take me to your leader."
Twilight and Chrysalis briskly walked in silence through the halls of the Badlands Hive, nearing the prisons where the pony captives were under guard. On reaching the reinforced doorway they were greeted by Carduus and his squad, who all saluted when the royals approached.
"Your highnesses," Carduus started. "We have identified two of the Equestrians, while the third we have no previous records of."
"Well? Who are the two we know?" Chrysalis inquired.
'Could it be?' Twilight thought to herself.
"One of them is the Lunar Guard Captain Vladimir Vespertilio. The other one you may not be so happy to see; Prince Consort, and Solar Guard Captain, Shining Armor."
Twilight froze as her suspicions were confirmed.
"It would seem that the prince-to-be has come for his sister," Chrysalis smirked in amusement. “Either that, or my brief time in his life made him change who he is in love with.”
"Let them go."
All eyes turned to the changeling princess. "Your highness?"
"I said... Let. Them. Go!" Twilight demanded, obviously not willing to take no for an answer.
Carduus nervously looked at Chrysalis, but when she didn't give any objection, or a reaction of any kind he relayed their Princess' orders to the guards.
With the guards busy, Chrysalis turned to her daughter. "Your adoptive brother lies through that door, and I doubt he'll be happy to see me."
"If it's OK, I want to meet with him alone... to explain things."
"Of course my daughter, take all the time you need." Chrysalis smiled warmly, hiding a small amount of worry.
"Thank you," Twilight said, receiving and returning an affectionate nuzzle.
As the guards piled back out, Twilight took a deep breath to calm herself, and then took a step forwards.
"If you think this gets you out of today’s flying lessons..." Chrysalis grinned.
Twilight rolled her eyes, before being consumed in green flames. Chitin was replaced with lavender fur as Princess Twilight the changeling was replaced with Twilight Sparkle the unicorn once more.
Everypony was reduced to a surprised silence as their restraints were removed, including the straps on Vladimir's wings and the magical ring on Shining's horn. One by one all the changeling guards simply left the room, leaving the three alone.
"OK... what the hay was that?" Longshot blinked.
"It would appear that the Queen's claims may have been true Shining," Vladimir noted.
Shining looked at the thestral. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, who high up in their hierarchy would have any rhyme or reason to release us?"
On cue, the door opened and Shining's heart soared as a familiar lavender unicorn nervously poked her head in.
"Twily!"
Twilight gently closed the door behind her, but before she could do anything else she was grappled into a planet shattering hug to end all hugs.
"Don't ever scare me like that, ever!" Shinng held on tight to his LSBFF, as if worried she may fade away.
"Shiny... can't... breathe."
"Oh," Shining said sheepishly, quickly placing a gasping Twilight back onto the ground.
"Miss Sparkle," Vladimir greeted.
"Vlad, it’s good to see you again," Twilight greeted, catching her breath.
"Likewise ma'am. This is EUP Sergeant Longshot." Vladimir motioned at the relaxed Earth Pony beside him."
"EUP?" Twilight turned back to her brother. "You were so desperate to get me back you got the military involved?"
"That’s... part of the reason. Princess Celestia and the others are worried sick, we all want you home Twily."
"They're... not mad at me?" Her voice was sheepish, and one of her front hooves was digging little groves in the floor.
"Mad at you? Why would we ever be mad at you?" Shining remarked, surprise clear in his voice.
"Oh you know, because of the whole-"
"Twilight, I don't care if you’re a changeling, you're my sister. You didn't attack Canterlot, you aren't like them, you - are my little sister." Shining ruffled her mane.
Twilight jumped at Shining, pulling him into another, softer hug.
"It's good to see you kiddo."
Twilight broke off the hug. "Hey Shiny, you said I'm not like the others, and you mentioned Canterlot. Well the truth is..."
"I think catching up can wait until it's just us, don't you," Shining said with a glance at the other two.
"Oh, right. Well we could talk in my room."
"Your room?"
A light blush came to her cheeks, and the forehoof was at it again. "Yeah... Shiny we have a lot to talk about."
"Whatever it is Twilight, you can tell me."
"Thanks BBBFF," she said as she nuzzled him.
"Mother, could you clear the halls from here to my room, I'd rather avoid any awkward encounters on the way there. Oh, and can the others have their stuff back?"
"Consider it done my darling daughter."
Shining suddenly chuckled to himself. "All in all I think this plan went off without a hitch!"
"Getting our plots handed to us and captured was not part of the plan," Longshot deadpanned.
Twilight couldn't help but once again but roll her eyes, before moving towards the door. "Come on you, follow me. Just... don't touch any of my books? They're sorted just how I like them and I don't want you knocking over a shelf!"
"That was one time!" Shining protested as they exited the room, leaving Longshot and Vladimir behind.
"Well... that was interesting," Longhsot said.
"Kid, if you knew the details of half of what Twilight Sparkle gets up to in Ponyville, you would realise this is pretty tame in comparison."
"Try me."
"Well there was this one report titled, Lesson Zero..."
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What... I just finished the previous chapter to find that a new chapter. What is this madness!?
Huh, guess it was good that I checked when the last chapter came out, otherwise I would have noticed the update.
Bravo! This chapter is hilarious, especially the soldiers' reactions.
More Chrysalis and Twilight motherly action: great! 
A pound to a penny, Crudelis's changelings will be mentioned in the next chapter. 
You haven't really changed at all, have you Twilight? Haha.
Oh Faust, is he really going to talk about that? If Chrysalis hears about that, she'll be extremely worried.
and out comes the red vs blue reference
Update! YES!!
I'm curious on how Shining knocked over a bookshelf without knowing Twi would be pretty mad.
6795017
This madness is faster updates than most people.
at first I wanted to say something, but then again I assume if it is that type Luna I think of right now, then I can see her spilling all the news to her guard captain.
Funniest scene EVER!
A red vs blue and a fallout 3 references
I wonder how Chrysallis will react to her old lover Discord being dead?
Sigh now i gotta wait for another awesome chapter
Great chapter. Lookig forward to finding out how they all will react to Twilight's story. and for more of those flying lessons, sorry Twilight but yo are going to learn how to fly. can't wait for the nt chapter.
"What are they doing?
"Huh?"
"I asked, what are they doing now?"
"They're just standing there, and talking. That's all they ever do, just stand there and talk. And when you ask me again in five minu-"
Red vs Blue reference!
not bad I wonder how he will react to the story of twilight shining armor when it will tell that his mother is chrysalis hope of taking it well.
Yes this story is good! Neigh, tis great! Continue the good work, my fellow!
Great chapter, I love the part where Shining has to choose whether or not to give up or keep fighting, although it did seem obvious what the choice was.
6795043
Why would't she? I mean, the guard captain should have been informed about a possible threat to national security coming to Canterlot, even if that threat is Twilight Sparkle, who is also a national hero...I mean, mind magic? Particularly that type of mind magic? She came pretty close to dark magic during that episode...
Very nice chapter, good work.
MAKE ANOTHER CHAPTER ASAP BEFORE I GET TWILIGHT TO GIVE YOU A FINISH THE BOOK LECTURE
6795554 maybe I have just a high tolerance limit, but I feel like it could have been much worse.
6795648 *REANIMATING THE DEAD*
Love the reference!
Every time someone wants to talk about how crazy Twilight is, no matter the story, they always bring up lesson zero. Every time.
God dammit Vlad. It was vlad that said that, right?
6795554 To be honest, Twilight being a Changeling actually makes sense in that episode, the Want it Need it spell does sound like something a Changeling would have in their arsenal wouldn't it?
6795413 hell ya
This story is very entertaining...
6795789
A changeling, or a dark magic user...not to even mention how quickly she picked up dark magic in the Crystal Empire two-parter, when she had to open the door that led to the crystal heart.
6795929 ...
Twilight is scary.
well she is the element of magic who ever said it was only light magic? :P
6795180
When you step back and look at all the shenanigans in Ponyville, Twilight being a changeling princess might not even rank in the top 3. Almost scary, huh.
6796012 not even top 10 lol... i mean every month poor ponyville is attacked by something... it also has a human turned pony living in it it has Discord zecora starbeasts tirek bugbears sweety drops.aka bon bon
6795941
Yeah, but only when you think about it in real world terms like I do...
6795648
I never said that it couldn't have been. Just read Into the Black: A Mare's Tale, for an example of how that spell could've been much worse...
Lol they got their plots handed to them. >:)
aaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwww bbbff and lsbff are back together . 
Lol chrysalis think shining is in love with her.
Triple lol for when one or two lols isn't enough
Next chapter please.
Lackluster chapter!
Me wants moar..
6795024 Damn dirty Blues.
Dem references.
... He's been waiting his entire life to say that, hasn't he?
Nobody messes with the order of Twilight's books.
Cya
Raziel-chan
Lol. Lesson zero!
6796406 Nah, this is just the calm before the storm.
I can't wait for the next chapter this is a good story and I dont come accross many good storys these days there gay and other crap
But you did good
there ere two references I spotted, how many all together in this chapter?
must...hold...anger!
how can ppl dis-like a story this good ?
Cover pic is broken.
6799405 Looks fine to me...
6799670 scontent-mxp1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/12417820_1086328894732969_4572164672948522437_n.jpg?oh=fd8506a64e2555345d5e2393f5440e5d&oe=574556AC
Appears the same way on phone.
6800170 Huh, no idea.
6800211
The issue is site wide, and appears to come and go. I doubt that there is anything authors can do on their end.
This feels like a forced reference. I know what it is from, but to put it in after they just stopped doesn't feel like the right time.
REFRENCES!
A great fight scene except teeth being knocked out make me feel eww.
i.imgur.com/XS5LK.gif