Mischievously devious as a filly and ambitiously brilliant as a mare, Cozy Glow was a controversial pillar of Equestria's war effort against Caesar. Heartbroken by a tragedy, her goals veered in a new direction when she realized what really matters.
Tragedy claimed the loved ones of many in Equestria's war against the zebras, and Cozy Glow was no exception. The Littlehorn Massacre took her family from her, as it did for dozens of other ponies. In another life, this loss would have have shattered her already fragile psyche and turned her into a monster. Instead, she vowed to protect others from suffering as she did. She underestimated what that would take. After the bombs she couldn't keep from falling, all she could do was rebuild. ___ Set in the world of Fallout: Equestria By Kkat. It is also a divergent timeline from Fallout Equestria: The Storm. ___ Cover art by Teardrops.
The muffled bustling of a crowd was barely drowned out by a pleasant patriotic theme. A gentle knock on my dressing room door reminded me that in just a few minutes, I’d be expected to trot onto stage and deliver a big speech. Being in the spotlight and playing to a crowd had always come naturally to me, and I wasn’t lacking in experience. Still, something was gnawing at me as I fiddled with my earthy-toned uniform. I took another look at my reflection.
Was a strand of my bouncy, curly, sky blue mane out of place? Any blemishes in my peachy pink coat besides my freckles? A feather out of place in my wings?
A clay-colored glare of annoyance stared back at me as I failed to figure out what was wrong. Magic of the same hue enveloped a military dress cap and fitted it onto my head, my horn slotting snugly through a hole in the front, just below a golden insignia. With a final turnabout in front of the trio of mirrors, I concluded that the problem had nothing to do with me or my outfit. An uncomfortable energy, a feeling that something was amiss, continued to eat away at the back of my mind.
Whatever it is, Cozy, don’t let it ruin the ceremony. Today is a big day.
*****
Bombastic music and fanfare greeted me as I strode across the stage to a humble podium. I glanced up at the Vanguard flag as confetti sprayed around it. The billowing fabric was black, encompassing the same insignia on my cap. A minimalist rook, inspired by the image on my flank, adorned with wings and a horn. Both it and the flag’s trim were shiny gold.
An invigorated stomping of hooves and clapping of claws died down as I took my place at the microphone. A turnout of several dozen ponies, zebras, deer, and griffons, including their foals, fawns, and fledglings, waited anxiously before me. It must be this quaint settlement’s entire population.
“Golly…” I gave them all a proud smile before I continued. “Today marks an incredible milestone for the Equus Commonwealth. One hundred fifty years of lasting prosperity, defended by the Vanguard, and built by countless hard workers like you. Farmers, carpenters, teachers, soldiers… This achievement is yours.”
I paused to allow another clamor of cheers. “That’s why I’ve chosen to celebrate this momentous occasion here, in Whinnypeg, the Commonwealth’s latest settlement. We’ve come a long way since our founding in Seaddle, and it’s thanks to you for braving the harsh frontier. For braving the wasteland, and all it has to throw at you.” My wings unfurled wide. “Every day, the people of the Equus Commonwealth and its Vanguard prove that they are tougher than the wasteland! Tougher than the radiation! Tougher than the raiders and slavers! We will continue to build this great nation of ours, through the sweat of our own brows, and the strength we find in one another!” I reared up and thrust a hoof towards the sky. “Friendship is power!”
My face swelled with warmth as the crowd erupted louder than ever, chanting the motto back to me. I relaxed back into a sitting position as another round of music and fanfare concluded the speech. “Now then, we have an anniversary festival to celebrate!”
*****
Throughout the tents and stalls dotting main street, all manner of settlers and off-duty soldiers enjoyed food, drink, and games. Even the on-duty soldiers were quite relaxed, chatting to others as they passed their posts. They’d snap to attention in my presence, of course, but I’d always motion them to be at ease.
My coat and hat flapped in a sudden gust of wind as an airshow raced overhead, a combination of talented pegasi Shadowbolts and ace Griffonchaser IX pilots performing daring acrobatic feats.
It’s a shame the Enclave had to soil the Wonderbolt title. Oh well, at least they didn’t have a monopoly on ponies who could perform sonic rainbooms, despite their best efforts to control their population. Between them and Gustave, no Raptor or Thunderhead would ever dare invade the Commonwealth.
The advanced whirligigs designed by yours truly flying alongside them were an impressive deterrent in their own right. Highly maneuverable with a top speed of two hundred eighty kilometers per hour, Shadowbolts and Wonderbolts were about the only things they couldn’t keep up with. Thermal, S.A.T.S.-integrated targeting was linked to 25mm rotary guns, homing rockets, and a gimballed novasurge cannon. Quite the fighting machines.
Some day, the Vanguard and its soldiers and weapons won’t be needed. Some day, Equestria and beyond will be pieced back together, into something better than it ever was. That will take time to do it right, without making ethical compromises in the name of progress. I’ve heard that a major push towards industrialization was being made on the east coast… on the backs of slaves. Whoever’s running that operation clearly doesn’t read any history books. Anyone who has knows the ultimate fate of oppressors.
*****
My ears twitched towards the beating of wings and a pair of familiar voices. I turned to face a pegasus stallion and griffon buck as they touched down before me, both wearing officers’ uniforms similar to my own.
Colonel Icarus Waxwing was tall and slim for his kind, with slender facial features. His coat, beak, claws, and feathers were mostly silver and white, and tipped black, aside from a mask of yellow-orange wrapped around his lavender eyes. The plumage on his head was adorned with several long, thin black feathers protruding straight back.
Major Wind Striker was comparatively strongly built, especially for a pegasus. He had handsome features, and a dark plum coat. His mane was professionally short and swept back, mostly black with graying streaks. Deep green eyes held the wisdom of his long career. It was covered by his uniform, but I knew his cutie mark was that of a winged hammer.
Both gave me pleasant smiles before Icarus spoke in his exotic, suave accent. “Your speech went wonderfully, General.” My second in command pretended to wipe a tear. “Truly, it made me feel as I did when I first signed up. Such invigorating patriotism.”
I rolled my eyes. “Shut up.”
Striker bumped his friend’s shoulder. “You should give the speech next time, charmer.” The Major’s voice was deep and gruff, ironically making him a more commanding presence than either of his superiors standing before him. “We were just about to inform you that Whinnypeg’s mayor has invited us to dinner.”
Icarus snickered. “Of course, you’re welcome to join us, if only for pleasant conversation.”
Why did he enjoy bringing up the fact that I don’t eat? “Tell Jasiri I’d be honored. In the meantime, I’ll enjoy mingling with the riff-raff.”
Wind Striker smiled. “I’ll back you up, General. Folks with dirt on their hooves are more my speed than political types.”
“Well then,” Waxwing straightened his collar, “I heard there’s a wine tasting to attend.”
Striker and I chuckled as he flew off. “I swear,” the pegasus began, “he’s almost as frilly as that Whiteclaw buck.”
Icarus was certainly a bit of a dandy, but I wouldn’t trust anyone more with overarching strategy and tactics. Despite his demeanor, he wasn’t one to buckle under the pressure of high command. Striker, as he said, was far more in-tune with the common soldier. Sometimes I felt he forgot he had wings considering how much liked being in the mud with the grunts. He’d still be a sergeant had I not insisted on his promotions. If he didn’t keep resisting them, he’d be a Colonel alongside his griffon colleague.
My subordinate and I spent the afternoon enjoying the festival. The townsfolk made pleasant company, telling stories between drinks. I enjoyed beating Striker at games of darts or horseshoes, to which he complained was an unfair matchup. He wasn’t wrong. The stallion was somewhat intoxicated, and I had cybernetically precise magic. I let him win a couple of times to lessen the blow to his ego.
Not wanting him to be a stumbling mess for dinner, I ordered him to sober up and wash up for a couple hours. He begrudgingly saluted and trotted off. I flew up and found a perch to watch the town from.
*****
It was built along a river, around the ruins of a museum. The marvel of modern art architecture resembled a chromed nest wrapped around a glass tower. It was once a center dedicated to the history of pony-creature co-existence, making it a fitting centerpiece to today’s celebrations. The museum had been substantially restored, and now served as Whinnypeg’s capitol building.
The other structure of note was an asymmetrical suspension bridge spanning the river, connecting the settlement to a major caravan trail. It had been fully repaired, and repainted to its original crisp white. A large, round veranda surrounded its central support, where many creatures were dancing to a band’s upbeat music.
Other than these two landmarks, the town was dotted with freshly built cottages, farmhouses surrounded by crops, and stores. The largest farm was made from what was once a Buckball stadium. Beyond all this was the ruined husk of a greater pre-war city we simply didn’t have the resources to reconstruct. The degraded jungle of steel and concrete was better served as a source of scavenged materials. It’s not like there’d be a population large enough to occupy a city like that anytime soon, anyway.
The most populous city in the Commonwealth was Seaddle, back in the Vanhoover region. Practically untouched by the bombs, restoring and settling it was a challenge easily met by the combined efforts of stable dwellers, pegasi defecting from the Enclave, and to the surprise of both, remnants of zebra legionaries. Forging an alliance with the latter rather than sparking a pointless war was critical in our early success. Over a century later, we were still thriving together.
Stable 14 hosted the majority of the aforementioned dwellers, a shelter that exclusively housed roughly fifteen thousand griffons for thirty years after the bombs fell. Smaller Stables housed earth ponies and unicorns. Each now served as bases for the Vanguard, with 14, which was built into Mt Reinier, serving as our main headquarters.
*****
Maybe being so far from base is why I felt so off. The feeling that something was wrong hadn’t gone away, and at this point was getting quite annoying. Sweeping my gaze across Whinnypeg, I saw nothing out of place. Still, the ominous twinge lingered.
I didn’t know what to make of it, and that frustrated me. I designed my horn and magic. I should know what it’s trying to tell me. On a hunch, I brought up my Eyes Forward Sparkle. A handy feat of Stable-Tec engineering, it could identify potential threats. A sigh escaped me as all I saw was a sea of friendly yellow ticks. Of course, all the soldiers on duty would have their EFS active, so they’d have been alerted to this mystery problem long ago.
Applying Occam's Razor, I concluded that my horn must simply be in need of tuning. In fact, it has been years since I’ve given my synthetic body some proper maintenance. I’ve just been too busy. Taking a few deep breaths and listening closely, I confirmed that my cooling systems weren’t running as optimally as they could be. I also haven’t been getting as much sleep as my mind probably needed.
As soon as dinner with Mayor Jasiri was over, I’d get a good night’s rest. A checkup will have to wait until I’m back at my lab.
*****
A mature striped mare met me at the door of the capitol building as I touched down. Jasiri took my hoof in hers as she greeted me warmly. “General Glow, it is such an honor to have you here. I welcome the opportunity to thank you with my hospitality.”
A fleeting, dark intrusive thought upon being touched by a zebra was quickly squashed into the furthest pits of my mind. I’m better than that. I’m ashamed those thoughts ever surface at all.
I produced the warmest smile I could. “Of course, Mayor Jasiri. The honor is mine.”
As she led me through her home to the dining hall, I properly appraised her. Her mane and tail were beautifully braided into coils. Her body was adorned in various gold and silver bangles and chains, as well as sashes of violet and crimson which matched her dual-hued eyes. Her cutie ma- glyph was impossible to interpret, being some sort of triple spiral rune. My own outdated biases aside, which I clearly still needed to work on, she was very lovely.
Wind Striker and Icarus were already seated, chatting with other prominent members of the community. Ponies, griffons, zebras, and deer were entrenched in conversation with one another. I’d learned that the latter were Whinnypeg’s original settlers, having used their unique magic to aid in vegetation growth. If that could be applied on a wide scale… That could be discussed another time.
Taking a seat between Icarus and Jasiri, I took in the aromas of the food and drink everyone was enjoying. The sight and scent of a meal were the only parts I could enjoy, so I savored it.
Besides us dignitaries, various servants scampered about with carts and trays. Most were unicorns, but the individual giving them quiet, almost imperceptible orders was a thestral stallion. Jasiri informed me that his name was Solace, and he was her most faithful companion.
I noticed Solace’s tufted ears twitch, and his mouth formed a demure smile at the praise. His coat and wings were a deep jade, contrasting a lilac, neatly combed mane and azure eyes. A modest tuxedo hid anything else about him.
Another thing I noticed was how strongly my horn was bothering me again. The energy screamed danger. It felt outright malevolent, and it infuriated me that I couldn’t pinpoint a source.
“Is everything alright?” Jasiri leaned close to me, reading my eyes.
“Oh, yes! Well, no… I don’t know how to explain it.” I rubbed my horn with a hoof. “Darn thing must be acting up. Something keeps giving me the heebie-jeebies, like there’s something wrong, but that obviously can’t be the case.”
The concern in Jasiri’s face noticeably increasing did not make me feel better. “Actually… I’ve been oddly anxious the last few weeks. I’d chalked it up as nervousness about the festival, but hearing you say you’re feeling it as well… And it’s more than butterflies in my stomach. It’s as you said, like something is wrong.”
*****
It was then that I noticed the unicorn waitress listening to us, standing perfectly still, staring through us. Looking directly into her dull blue eyes, which seemed cold beyond description, the magical grating of dread in my mind became like an unceasing note from a poorly tuned violin.
Solace trotted to his frozen employee with an expression of annoyance. “Amber Quill, you’re making our guests uncomfor-”
The thestral was abruptly cut off when the pale orange mare plunged a carving knife into his chest. Amber let out an in-equine screech, and her telekinesis launched the blade towards Jasiri. In a moment of reflex, I caught the blade in my own magic and sent it through the assassin’s throat.
In the midst of this exchange, everyone had leapt from their seats. The civilians gasped or screamed. Striker and Icarus stood ready to act, scanning the room for additional threats.
“Everyone, remain calm.” I turned towards the Major. “Striker, get Solace to a medic. Icarus, call in a platoon to secure the building. I will-”
A disturbing sight broke my concentration. Just as Amber ceased squirming, her flesh began to shimmer and contort. Concerned that her corpse was somehow magically rigged to explode, I put myself between her and the others, spreading my wings. What her body became instead created a whole new problem. Hide was replaced with carapace. Limbs became riddled with holes. Thin, transparent, twitching wings appeared on her back. Her horn became jagged, and her eyes became opaque blobs.
A changeling.
Another bout of insectoid shrieking from all around snapped me out of my stupor. Five more of the servants, and two of the city counselors, shimmered and became bug monsters. They brandished weapons of their own against the others.
Not on my watch.
Leaping into the air, I charged a ball of deadly magical energy at the tip of my horn, and unleashed it.
Seven changelings.
Seven beams of alicorn fury.
Seven piles of ash.
“...Golly.”
*****
Shock and disbelief at what had just occurred was suddenly broken by a pained wheeze. Jasiri gasped and knelt beside her deeply wounded thestral friend, carefully placing her hooves and applying pressure to slow the bleeding. I joined them and cast a healing aura over the victim’s chest. My knowledge of medical spells was limited, to say the least, so the best I could do was keep him stable.
“Solace, please, try to stay awake.” Whinnypeg’s Mayor pleaded in a panicked tone.
“Striker.” The stallion snapped to attention at my word. “Disregard my previous order. There may be other hostiles, so it’s too risky to move Solace to a clinic. Focus on keeping this room secure.”
With a “Yes Ma’am,” he began to patrol the dining hall’s perimeter.
I turned to the griffon. “Waxwing, get on the radio and bring in a platoon. Make sure their medics bring super restoration potions.” I narrowed my gaze. “Have each soldier give their name, rank, and identification number at the building’s entrance. Any hesitation in their response, deny them entry.”
After calling it in, he turned to me with a worried gaze. “General, what are we dealing with? What are these things?”
I blinked, then nearly face-hoofed. Of course I’m the only one here who’d know what a changeling is. Even before the bombs most people weren’t sure they existed.
“They’re called changelings,” I began to explain. “They’re shape-shifters who feed on the energy of other creatures to survive. They haven’t been seen in over two centuries.”
The Colonel finally asked the most pertinent question. “Why are they here, and why now?”
I could only offer conjecture. “Whinnypeg might be on the edge of their territory. They may have been hidden among its settlers from the start.” My eyes swept towards Jasiri. “Did you know Amber Quill very well?”
The zebra wore a thoughtful expression. “Solace here knew her better than me, but…” He was in no condition to answer questions. “She had been acting strangely.”
“For how long?” I needed a timetable to establish just how infested this town could be.
“A few weeks, I’d say…” Horrified realization entered her eyes. “Stars above, did these monsters kill the people they replaced?”
I did my best to give her some hope. “From what I remember, they cocoon their victims to feed on them over time. There’s a chance they can be saved, but we need to figure out where they’re being kept.”
An annoyed grumble escaped me. I didn’t like how many assumptions we were relying on right now. What really bothered me was why they’d give themselves away to attack us. Were they planning to wipe out and replace everyone here? Take over not only this town’s leadership, but also prominent Vanguard officers? Had I not attended this dinner…
*****
Soldiers in full gear trickled in as they confirmed their identities as ordered. Medics quickly got to work saving Solace, who unfortunately had no additional insights into the situation. The thestral did, however, aid Jasiri and I in interrogating everyone else in the building. Each was asked things only the real them would know. Any who couldn’t answer were quarantined.
Two more changelings were discovered, and I ordered they be kept alive for questioning. After breaking their horns and clipping their wings, of course. This building thankfully had a small jail, retrofitted from a series of art vaults. The prisoners were kept separate from each other.
They weren’t quite how I remembered them. In the back-when days, changelings, in their true forms, looked virtually identical to each other. These two, and the one who mimicked Amber, had distinct color palettes and other subtle features that marked them as individuals. Their carapaces also had a distinct shimmer to them, like they were made of crystal.
One, who I presumed to be a male, kept his lips sealed and his expression stoic. All of my questions went ignored. I could tell that threats would be wasted on him, so I didn’t bother. The blue, white-spotted bug could stay locked in isolation until he felt more chatty.
The other, noticeably female, was certainly frightened enough to talk. Being a blend of dark and pale greens, the expression shaking like a leaf seemed almost literal. I nearly felt sorry for her.
I knelt down to be eye-level with the cowering insect. “Tell me how many of you there are, or you will join the eight I’ve already dealt with.”
She whimpered. “I-I-I d-don’t… I’m just a d-drone, I can’t…”
My horn pressed between her eyes, and glowed an ominous scarlet. “The last thing you want to be right now is useless.”
Tears streamed from her bulbous yellow eyes. “Empress of the North, forgive me… We arrived here fifty strong two months ago.”
My magic ceased, and I gave her a calming smile as I wiped her eyes with a wing. “There, was that so hard?” I turned to leave her impromptu cell. “Oh, your friend had best corroborate that, or you will both suffer.”
The changeling curled into a ball in the far corner as I shut and locked the door. A squad of soldiers took places around it to keep watch as I strode back to the dining hall. There wasn’t any need to question our other guest. The lie detection spell I had just used, developed by the Ministry of Morale, sufficiently validated the information the first had given me.
*****
At this point, a perimeter around the capitol had extended to the clinic. I ordered the body of Amber’s imposter be brought there for examination. I also ordered for all the townsfolk, one small group at a time, to be questioned and examined, then quarantined. There were approximately forty changelings to root out.
This was turning into a very long night. The people of Whinnypeg were exhausted and scared, and I didn’t blame them. A day of celebration had been turned into a witch hunt. It was, however, necessary. The sooner this was handled, the sooner their lives could return to some semblance of normal.
One by one, the changelings were filtered out of the population. Those who fought back or fled were shot. The rest, I personally interrogated as I had the first. It didn’t take long to learn that most of the settlers they replaced were alive, as I had hoped. After learning their location, a cave to the northwest, I sent Striker with two platoons to secure them. A wing of Griffonchaser VIIIs, a cargo/transport variant, went along to provide secure passage back, as well as crates of emergency supplies the captives would likely need.
In the meantime, my mind was exhausted. Confident that my forces could handle things from here, I retired to my own private transport to get some needed mental rest. Not even bothering to undress, I curled up on my cot and shut my eyes.
*****
oooOOOooo
A gentle breeze soothed the heat of the summer sun, as well as ruffled my mane. The slender white stallion trotting alongside me down the streets of Canterlot gave me a cute smile before magically fixing it for me.
“Radieux, you make me wish I was born a unicorn.” The things I could do if I had magic…
He responded with a nuzzle. “Then you wouldn’t have those cute wings.”
I smirked. “An alicorn, then.”
My buckfriend snickered. “I’d have been too intimidated to ask you out.”
A sigh escaped me. “It would make meeting your parents easier…”
“Oh, you’ll be fine.” He reassured me, while sweeping back his own cyan mane, which had a single streak of soft pink through it. “Don’t let their status and prestige scare you. They’re good ponies.”
Rounding the corner, we passed a vendor selling newspapers. Radieux bought one and tipped the filly tending the stand an extra two bits. He ignored the articles and turned straight to the silly cartoons at the back, smiling to himself. Being the gentlebuck he is, he made sure to show me the funniest ones.
*****
The aristocratic Fancy Pants, and his supermodel wife Fleur De Lis, were already seated on the patio of Le Griffon.
The large, older white and blue stallion, who had a perfectly groomed mustache, stood first to greet us. “Ah, you must Cozy Glow. It is lovely to finally meet you.” I couldn’t help but blush as he took my forehoof and gave it a kiss.
His tall, elegant, slender wife brushed her gorgeously long lilac mane behind her ear as she stood as well. I offered a wing and she shook it. “I hope our son has only told you good things. He certainly has of you.”
I smiled. “Oh, of course! Nothing but stories of what wonderful parents you both are.”
Fancy got the chair for me as I sat down, as Radieux did for his mother, before both joined us and began perusing the cafe’s menu.
My prospective father-in-law adjusted his monocle. “It’s a shame yours couldn’t join us today. I’d have liked to meet them.”
My smile fell.
“Father…” Radieux gave him a look of mild condemnation.
Fancy Pants blinked, then gave me a pleading expression. “Oh, my, forgive me. It slipped my mind.”
I did my best to restore my demeanor. “It’s alright. Innocent mistake.” I need this to go well. No sense getting upset at an aging stallion for forgetting details. Nevermind me being an orphan is quite an important detail.
He smiled and nodded, then turned to his son. “Is that today’s paper?”
Radieux awkwardly gave it to him as our waiter took our orders.
Fleur looked at her husband as his brow creased. “Let me guess, rising tensions with the zebras?”
“It’s all that ever gets reported lately.” I groaned.
He waved a hoof. “I wouldn’t worry. The Princesses will figure something out. They always do.”
“I certainly hope so,” Radieux agreed. “Could you imagine if they couldn’t? War?”
That word brought with it a silence that fell across us for several uncomfortable moments. The arrival of our drinks thankfully broke it.
I tried to brighten the mood. “Fleur, have you had any interesting photoshoots lately?”
Her face brightened, and she went on to regale me about a recent trip to Prance. This led to many stories from her, Fancy, and Radieux about traveling, holidays, and get-togethers.
They’d have many more in the future, and I was assured I’d be part of them.
oooOOOooo
*****
The next couple of days were a scramble to form defense contingencies against this new threat. I told the rest of the Vanguard’s command, either in person or by message, everything I knew about changelings. Which, admittedly, wasn’t much. Our assortment of insectoid prisoners were squeezed of as much information as possible. After which, I honestly wasn’t sure what to do with them.
Were they any other species, long term imprisonment and potentially rehabilitation would be simple. However, these creatures have specific dietary needs. I was not willing to let them feed on someone just to keep them breathing, but I also wasn’t willing to execute them. Waiting for them to starve was even worse.
Having had time to process my interactions with them thus far, it’s clear they’re not as monstrous as I previously believed. They’re people. On many occasions throughout interrogations, they displayed a willingness to be reasonable. They most proactively gave information in exchange for ensuring each other's safety.
The more I thought about it, the more I was sure that executions were off the table. Besides a swell of empathy staying my hoof, such an act could trigger a full scale war.
Empress of the North. Who could that be? Someone who could answer questions, I bet.
I was leaning towards a decision that I knew would be unpopular.
*****
Icarus and Jasiri waited patiently as I paced back and forth, stewing in my thoughts. They’d been summoned on short notice. This decision could have dire consequences, and I needed outside input.
Finally stopping, I turned to face them. “The changeling prisoners can’t be held in captivity forever. They’ll starve. We also still know practically nothing about where they are from or who they answer to.” I took a deep breath. “I want to escort them to their home.”
The Colonel did a double take. “Pardon, ma’am? They attacked a Commonwealth settlement. They tried to assassinate a Mayor. That is an act of war.”
“I… agree with the General.” Jasiri surprised me. “There are too many unknowns, and perhaps an act of compassion can stop the situation from getting worse.”
“Or allow them a chance to slip another blade in our backs,” Icarus scoffed.
I shot the griffon a glare. “Colonel, believe me when I tell you how dangerously fast reactionary violence can escalate. If you ever need a reminder, look out a window.”
“That…” He calmed himself. “You’re right, I apologize. It is an opportunity to learn more, in the event they intend to continue hostilities. How do you intend to transport them? G-VIIIs?”
I nodded. “Four should hold them and two squadrons each to keep them under guard. A pair of G-IXs should accompany us. I will be the only officer present.”
Icarus was clearly about to object to that last part, but I raised a hoof.
“If anything happens, I am more than capable of handling myself.” I smiled. “I trust you to command in my absence. Given the nature of the threat, I need as many sharp minds keeping an eye out as possible.”
He saluted. “Yes, ma’am.”
Jasiri spoke up again. “For what it’s worth, I believe this is the right thing to do, whether it succeeds or not. Whinnypeg has taken a blow, but it’s one we can recover from. The wounds of full scale war are not so easily healed. May any effort to avoid that be blessed.”
*****
One problem remained. I didn't know where to take the changelings. It was time to pay shaky like a leaf another visit.
Rapping my hoof loudly and suddenly against her cell door caused the green bug to leap out of her slumber with a start. I grinned at her through the bars, and she whimpered as she pressed herself against the back wall.
“Good news, Shaky. I’ve decided to free you all. Even give you a ride home.” My words replaced her fear with disbelief. “But first, I need to know where I’m going, and who I’m turning you over to. Who is the Empress of the North, and where can I find her?”
Her usual terrified expression returned. “I can’t…”
My horn glowed.
“I, uh, I mean…” she began to correct herself. “The Crystal Empire! W-We’re from the Crystal Empire, in the Frozen North.”
The Crystal Empire is still standing? The number of missiles the zebras sent there should have obliterated it. And now it was occupied by changelings? At least I know where I’m going.
“Good, good… and the Empress?” My assumption is Chrysalis, but you never know.
Shaky shuffled on her hole-riddled hooves. “...Flurry Heart.”
I felt myself recoil in flabbergasted shock. The daughter of Shining Armor and Princess Cadance? She’s alive!?
No, that makes perfect sense. Obviously the royal family would be the first to get into Stable 111. Besides, Flurry is an alicorn. She and her mother have the lifespan to still be around.
Still, why hasn’t she reached out to the rest of the wasteland? Cadance is a Princess, she has a duty to uphold. Even if tragedy struck her, Flurry would inherit that responsibility. Also, why do changelings answer to her? Shaky could give me some answers on the way there.
*****
With the assistance of three platoons, our thirty-six prisoners were shackled together in groups of nine. Each group was led into a transport whirligig by two squads of eight. I followed Shaky’s group into the first of the four Griffonchasers. After everything was checked and secured, we lifted off with our gunship escort.
The changelings stayed huddled together, trying to keep their eyes averted from the griffon-held rifles, battle-saddle-mounted machine guns, and sleek novasurge pistols their guards wouldn’t hesitate to use if provoked.
I noticed that the blue male who kept his mandibles shut was in this group as well. He repeatedly shot Shaky scowls of disapproval. I couldn’t help but wonder what sort of reprisal she’d face for being so cooperative with her captors. Really, they should be thankful to those who talked. They’re the reason they’re alive and heading home.
Hmm… For all I know, that could be the problem.
“Tell me, Shaky, what should I expect?” She looked up nervously at being addressed by the name I’d given her. She hasn’t corrected me thus far, so I’m going to keep using it. “Will it be a warm welcome by friends and family happy to see you safe, or am I dragging you to certain doom for failure?”
She did her usual nervous shuffle. “A bit of column A/column B, I suppose. Empress Flurry Heart will be pleased that most of us are unharmed, but… less so that we were discovered. Significantly less so that we’re leading you to her. Another alicorn…”
I heard a scoff from the blue beetle. His silence had been broken at last. “There weren't supposed to be other alicorns. Our Empress was the last. You… You must be an imposter. A fraud!”
My troops gripped their weapons a bit tighter at his raised tone.
“Pot meet kettle,” I fired back. “To an extent, you’re not wrong. I was born a pegasus. I made myself something more. Make no mistake, shapeshifter, my power is not an illusion.”
*****
Below us, the forest gradually became frozen tundra. All signs of life vanished in the icy, mountainous void. I began to sympathize with their desire to settle elsewhere.
Then I saw it. The Crystal Palace, in all its shining splendor, peaked above the mountains. Passing over them, I immediately felt the chill piercing our aircraft become pleasantly warm as the valley below became lush and vibrant. A colorful town in the shape of a snowflake sprawled out from the base of a massive white tower. All made almost entirely of crystal.
After pulling myself out of shocked amazement, I snapped my soldiers out of it by ordering the pilots to touch down on the main road, at the Empire’s gate. Whatever military force Flurry had, they undoubtedly saw us coming. Even as just a symbolic gesture, I announced myself and my intentions over all radio channels.
Sure enough, a decently sized swarm of armed and armored changelings was approaching as we exited our craft and corralled our prisoners ahead of us. Sticking with the theme, their armor was of a crystalline material, and was reminiscent of the old royal guard. Their weapons were unique, a sort of sword/laser rifle hybrid. Clearly meant to be held with telekinesis, but could be gripped in their mandibles if necessary. Their technology had kept up with the times, if not their aesthetic.
It contrasted sharply with my own forces. A mix of hooved and taloned creatures, adorned in modern combat armor that took design cues from war-time equipment as well as Stable security gear. Chest and shoulder plates colored a dark matte earth and gray covered a tan and black ballistic uniform. Full head helmets equipped with a suite of electronics akin to a Pip-Buck ensured a technological advantage in terms of target acquisition and communication.
*****
Ordering my soldiers to hold their position, I moved up with the prisoners in tow. Ahead of me, the changeling soldiers parted to reveal a tall figure trotting forward to meet me. Dressed in her own elegant armor, white with a pink shimmer that matched her coat, the alicorn faced me.
Flurry Heart’s long, fuchsia, azure-streaked mane sparkled as it billowed in the breeze. Crystal blue eyes pierced me as we moved ever closer to each other. We stopped a mere few meters apart.
I made my synthetic body sufficiently taller than my admittedly height-challenged original. About halfway between an average pony and Princess Luna. I’m humble like that. Flurry was nearly Celestia’s size. Assuming this actually was Flurry Heart, and not a changeling in disguise.
She gazed past me at her shackled people, a bittersweet expression on her face. “I see… My little changelings ventured where they should not have, I take it?”
“They did a little more than get lost. They infiltrated a town under my protection with the intention of assassinating and replacing its leadership.” I scowled. “I am doing you the courtesy of returning those we captured. I hope we can both see why we should avoid something like this happening again. One survivor of the apocalypse to another.”
Flurry gave me a discomforting, smug little smile. “So it really is you.”
I cocked my head at her response, then backpedaled in alarm as her horn glowed. She was faster with her magic than I was with mine, and her spell struck me before I could raise a defense.
My body collapsed, and rapidly became encased in a translucent vitric shell. I couldn’t move anything except my eyes, and my horn was somehow silenced by my prison’s aura. All I could do was watch and listen as my soldiers panicked and retaliated.
“Castle is down! Castle is down! Open f-”
In the corners of my vision, I saw rocks and shrubs shift into changeling reinforcements. My soldiers were outnumbered, surrounded, and overwhelmed. Two deafening explosions caught my attention, and I witnessed our gunship escort get destroyed by Flurry. Those who weren’t killed were cocooned as I was.
As the brief firefight ended, Shaky trotted up to her Empress with a confident stride, having gotten out of her shackles.
Flurry knelt and kissed her forehead. “Excellent work, Commander Tenna. Your plan was flawless.”
Gosh darn it. Beaten at my own game.
The Empress turned towards me again, her horn forming another spell. “Sleep tight, Cozy Glow.”
“Cozy, please, you have nothing to worry about,” Radieux pleaded. “Luna’s new school will be perfectly safe. Besides, I’ve been asked personally to be a teacher there. I can’t turn down an opportunity like that.”
“I understand that, but,” I paused to catch my breath. “I just don’t like how close to the border it is.”
My husband looked worriedly at me. “I’m sorry this had to come up while you were feeling under the weather. Fresh air not helping?”
After finding a soft patch of grass, I sat to rest. I've been feeling increasingly tired and light-headed lately. My joints ached like I’d suddenly aged thirty years. This was one serious flu, and the flowery air of the garden behind our home wasn’t helping as much as I had hoped.
I must not have been hiding how miserable I felt very well, because even the two young foals playing nearby paused their game of telekinetic catch to check on me.
“Mom, are you okay?” Hearth looked up at me with concern in his big brick red eyes.
“I’m fine, sweetie, just a little sick.” I ruffled the mulberry colt’s curly white mane.
His twin sister, Gemme, trotted over to complete the pity party in my honor. After shaking the dirt out of her cyan fur and wavy peach mane, she rested her forehooves on my leg. “You’ll feel better soon, right? In time for my cutie mark party?”
“Our cutie mark party,” Hearth corrected indignantly.
They both got theirs at the same time just last week, and they were surprisingly in-theme with my own rook. Hearth’s was a bishop, and Gemme’s a queen.
Radieux thankfully bailed me out. “You know what you should really be excited about?” He grinned. “Attending my class at Littlehorn!”
Both foals groaned, getting a chuckle out of me. Then a cough. Then a lot more coughs.
After the rather violent and painful fit, I finally set down the hoof I’d covered my muzzle with. My family stared at it, wide-eyed.
“Mom…” Gemme whimpered.
“Kids, stay with your mother.” I felt Radieux urge me to lay down, floating over a pillow from the porch furniture. “I’ll fetch a doctor.”
What? It’s not that-
I finally looked down. My hoof was covered in blood.
*****
The local physician who came quickly determined that I needed to be hospitalized. At that point I was too delirious to argue. The next several hours were a blur of tests, arguing nurses, and assurances from my husband any time he was permitted to see me.
A steroid drip had restored most of my energy by the time the head doctor entered my room, carrying a clipboard and a grim expression.
“It’s really bad, isn’t it?” I had a feeling I’d be missing my children’s party.
The shifting expression on his face told me he was trying to formulate a way to break it to me gently. He eventually gave up. “You have leukemia.” The older stallion gave me a moment to let the initial shock wear off. “It’s a type of cancer of the body’s blood-forming tissues-”
“I know what leukemia is.” I cut him off rudely. I was quick to apologize, and he continued.
“Treatment options are limited,” he lamented. “You’ll need to be on a regiment of medications, and undergo regular therapy. Even then, best case scenario, you only have five to ten years. I’m sorry.”
There was only one thing on my mind at that moment. “Are my foals at risk of developing it as well?” I know I inherited it.
My doctor blinked and shifted. “Given you have a family history, it’s a strong possibility. I am pleased to say that preemptive treatments can nearly eliminate the risk.”
My own mother didn’t have this option. Medicine hadn’t advanced enough at the time. I, however, did have a chance to protect my son and daughter. I immediately set up appointments.
oooOOOooo
*****
When I awoke, all I could feel was cold. My crystalline cocoon was one of many, all containing the unconscious Vanguard soldiers who accompanied me. I made an attempt to use my magic, to no avail.
“Oh, good, you’re awake.” Shak- Commander Tenna smirked at me. And… she was wearing my uniform.
I felt my face get red as I realized I was completely exposed in my immobilized state.
“Blink twice if I get anything wrong.” The deceitful bug shimmered, and became a perfect copy of me. Using my shiny prison as a mirror, she adjusted my coat and hat. “Golly, this is definitely the cutest face I’ve ever stolen.” Hearing someone else speak with my voice, mimicking my inflections with such accuracy, was disturbingly surreal. “And I love your sense of style.”
The Vanguard won’t fall for this. If she’s planning on infiltrating them by impersonating me, her attempt will fall apart the moment someone asks her about anything that happened more than a few days ago.
She smiled as she read my face, then feigned a pout. “It’s so sad what happened to your family. Your house in Canterlot looked lovely, by the way.” She had seen my memories. “I had to sift through quite a bit of emotional baggage, but I’ve got all the security protocols, identification codes, and little office in-jokes I need to be General Cozy Glow of the Equus Commonwealth Vanguard.”
Several other changeling soldiers entered the chamber, wearing Vanguard armor, and began shifting into their other prisoners.
Okay, what about the G-IXs Flurry destroyed?
Tenna cleared her throat, and proceeded to recite a practiced story. “Colonel, you were right. The changelings ambushed us during the drop-off. Pilots and co-pilots Amaund Silverbeak, Fringe Gust, Zecharia, and Gloomy Dawn gave their lives covering our retreat. Mayor Jasiri, I tried to resolve this peacefully, but I’m afraid that war is inevitable.” The changeling commander smiled up at me, expecting my approval.
I gave her a sickened scowl, which seemed to please her just as much.
“Well then,” she stamped a hoof victoriously, “I’ll return you to your not-so-peaceful slumber. I have a long flight ahead of me.”
I succumbed to another sleep-inducing spell.
*****
oooOOOooo
I was in my lab, fussing over notes on a schematic. My chest itched, and I rubbed the scars left over from recently replacing my lungs with shiny, mechanical new ones.
Treatment options are limited, my flank. I’ll double my life expectancy one organ at a time. My foals are not going to lose their mother any time soon.
A sharp whistle escaped my lips, and a multi-armed floating machine brought me another set of notes. Fancy Pants had been initially hesitant to fund my domestic robot business a few years ago, but it had paid off substantially. Anypony who was anypony had a Mister Handy or Missus Nanny doing chores in their home or office. A very versatile and successful design that left me drowning in bits.
My experience with robotics had translated nicely into cybernetics, and I soon had contract offers flowing in from various hospitals. There were offers from the military as well, but I wasn’t comfortable weaponizing my craft.
The intercom buzzed. “Mrs Glow, a representative from the Royal Guard is here to see you.”
Speak of the devil.
My secretary’s voice was oddly hesitant and sniffly, like she was holding back tears. I pressed the button below the speaker to reply. “Send them to my office. I’ll meet them there.”
As I trotted through the halls, I kept hearing shocked gasps, mournful weeps, and angered curses from inside smaller offices and break rooms. Whatever was being reported on the radio was too muffled for me to make out, but it must be very upsetting.
Whatever this representative was here for must be related, so rather than stop and listen now, I’d hear it from them.
*****
A stallion in a black suit and tie was waiting for me, contrasting the bright, cutesy decor. To my surprise, Fancy and Fleur were with him, their eyes badly red and stained by tears.
“Mrs Glow, please sit.” At the stranger’s suggestion, I joined my in-laws. Fleur leaned into me and let out a weep as I put a wing around her. Fancy silently stared at the floor.
“What’s happened? What’s this about?” I asked, knowing I’d hate the answer.
The dark messenger began. “An incident occurred at Littlehorn, involv-”
“Incident!?” Fancy shot up in an uncharacteristic rage, startling me. “A zebra murdered my son and grandfoals!”
My veins turned to ice. My breath caught in my throat.
“What?” is all I could choke out.
My father-in-law collapsed into sobs as the representative stammered in an attempt to continue. “A zebra refugee caravan passed too close to Littlehorn, triggering automatic defenses, resulting in several deaths. They retaliated, unleashing a toxic gas talisman in the school. I’m sorry, but your husband and foals were among those killed.”
This couldn’t be real. This had to be a cruel nightmare. “...What…”
Fleur wrapped herself tightly around my shaking body, drenching my shoulder in her tears. My own began to soak her frazzled mane.
“I truly am sorry for your loss.” The grim buck left us to grieve.
oooOOOooo
*****
When I came to, Fleur’s desperate embrace was replaced with my annoyingly familiar prison. This time, no one was waiting to mock me. No one was around aside from fellow prisoners, who were looking more drained every minute. It’ll be a slow process, but eventually they’ll be dead. I couldn’t help them. All I could do was take in my surroundings.
We were in a Stable, that much was certain. Undoubtedly Stable 111. Like most of the shelters dotted around the Frozen North, it was a cryogenics facility, meant to keep its occupants in stasis until the world outside was safe to settle. While mine wasn’t, a lot of the changeling cocoons were built within the abandoned cryo pods.
I had to wonder what exactly happened to Cadance. She’s obviously not around anymore. With the city as intact as it was, maybe she blocked the missiles with a shield like Luna and Celestia had at Canterlot. While she wasn’t strong enough to handle that alone, Flurry could have helped her. They also had the Crystal Heart.
*****
My chain of thought was broken by screeching steel. Soon after, I heard heavy yet graceful hoofsteps. Speak of the gosh-darned devil.
Flurry trotted in front of me, a mournful expression on her face. Then her horn glowed, and I felt my crystal shell disappear and my magic return. Landing on my hooves, I wasted no time casting a shield. She is not freezing me again.
“Cozy…” Her eyes pleaded with me.
I was having none of it. “Shut up! Free my soldiers and call off Tenna’s invasion, or I will kill you!”
The larger alicorn stomped a hoof. “I need your help.”
My stance relaxed, but I didn’t drop my shield.
She continued, moving slowly to another cocoon. “This… isn’t sustainable. We can’t feed off of prisoners forever. I need a new solution. You can help me find it.”
If it weren’t for my magical barrier, I’d spit at her. “I am way past helping you with anything. If your intentions are noble, you should have asked instead of hatching an elaborate plan to abduct and replace me.”
“Oh,” her voice became indignant, “you would have helped a nation of monsters out of the kindness of your heart?”
With a shake of my head, I retorted. “I would have helped you. You’re an alicorn Princess, a real one. The closest thing to a legitimate heir Equestria has left.”
With a shimmer of magic, she promptly proved me wrong. Holes formed in her hooves, a carapace partially formed around her torso, and the sclera of her eyes turned black.
“You’re… a changeling.” I couldn’t process how that was possible.
“Half,” she corrected. “Enough to suffer the same cravings. Enough to have been lynched before the bombs if anypony found out. Enough… that the Crystal Heart won’t help me.” She nickered in frustration. “I can barely get it to keep the city warm, but I know it can do more. I know it can give my people the love they need.”
“Then why invade the Commonwealth?” I demanded.
“A safeguard, in case I’m wrong.” She smiled. “ And insurance that you will cooperate. But first…”
Flurry looked me over, then vanished in a flash of magic.
Oh, great, she can teleport. I really wish I could have given myself that ability, but synthetic magic has limits.
Just as I considered making a break for it, the Empress reappeared with an assortment of warm clothing in tow.
“Get dressed,” she commanded. “Even with the Heart, it gets very cold at night.”
*****
Flurry wasn’t kidding. My first step out into the starless, cloud-covered night prompted me to add a second layer to my ensemble. The cold couldn’t kill me, but it was still unpleasant.
I could feel the eyes of changelings, civilians rather than soldiers, watching me from their homes. Various pairs of orbs, in all colors of the rainbow, glowed from behind windows. Some were smaller than others, revealing to me that these creatures had children. Families.
If there was still a path to peace, I had to follow it. Straight to the Crystal Palace. At its base, floating between pointed spires, was one of the most powerful artifacts in the world. It was a far cry from its original splendor, cracked and dull, flickering with just enough magic to keep the tundra from claiming the city.
“Golly, that certainly doesn’t look good.” I trotted around it, getting a proper look.
Flurry snorted. “I was under the impression you were some kind of expert. From what I’ve read of your OIA records, it’d be easier to list off the Ministry projects you weren’t part of.”
I rolled my eyes at her and sighed. “The Crystal Heart isn’t powerful in of itself. It amplifies the energy it’s given. In the back-when times, that energy was the light and love within the crystal ponies. I assume you and your changelings haven’t been feeding it as well.”
The Empress winced. “Does it matter where the love comes from?”
“...It's probably pretty important.” If all this poor thing was getting was energy forcefully taken from captives, no wonder it was so weak and corrupted. “If you want to heal the Heart, the energy has to be pure and willingly given. Believe it or not, magical artifacts have morals.”
“Who… Where could I find enough people willing to do that for us?” Shame etched her eyes. “The crystal ponies are all gone. We harvested every Stable we could find.”
My jaw dropped. Harvested? “You treated your own people like a crop?” I shook my head as questions started to flood my mind. “How could you not know you needed them for the Heart? Did Cadance not teach you any of this!?”
Mentioning her mom got a visceral reaction, and Flurry unfurled her wings in an intimidation display. “No! C-... My mother never told me how this damned thing works! That’s why I needed someone from back then who knows what they’re talking about to help me!”
I took a few deep breaths to calm down, and she did the same. “Are you positive you cleared out every Stable?” Having a computerized brain has its uses. Pulling up Stable-Tec records was a breeze. I began listing off each shelter in the region, waiting for Flurry to tell me when I named one she hadn’t pilfered. I got disturbingly far down the list, and was getting worried she was as thorough as she feared.
“Wait,” she finally stopped me. “117? That one doesn’t sound familiar. Where is it?”
I narrowed my gaze. “I need your word you won’t harvest its residents.”
Flurry sighed. “I promise.”
Not that her word was actually worth much… “Northwest. Far northwest, nearly at Yakyakistan’s border.”
She smiled, then blinked away in a flash.
No… She can’t teleport such a distance, without knowing exactly where she was going, could she?
A couple of tense minutes passed, and I was getting very worried I’d been played again.
Thank Celestia, she reappeared, now thickly dressed for blizzard conditions. Realizing we’d be hoofing it through the tundra, I threw on two more layers.
*****
As a lifetime resident of the Frozen North, Flurry had no trouble trudging through the wind and snow at a brisk pace. I struggled to keep up, constantly sinking too deep into the fluffy void.
“Once we unseal these ponies, and fix the Heart, then what?” The half-alicorn shouted to me.
“We have to convince them to coexist with you.” I replied at a volume high enough to overcome the blizzard. “They give the Heart their love, the Heart amplifies it and gives it to the changelings.”
“It might not be enough at first, depending on how big the Stable’s population is.” Flurry made a good point. “Until it is enough… we’ll have to keep feeding on the Commonwealth.”
I stopped. “Out of the question. I won’t let you hurt my people.”
“I can’t let my people starve.” She and I were at an impasse. “Besides, you don’t have a choice. You don’t cooperate, and Tenna will start doing more than blend in.”
I begrudgingly kept moving. This journey will take days, and every wasted second puts the Commonwealth in further danger.
“This would have been faster in Griffonchasers.” I pouted.
“Tenna needed them.” Flurry countered. “Besides, this wind would have grounded them. If you really want to hurry, drop your shield so I can teleport us a few miles at a time.”
There was no arguing that it would save a lot of time. With a sigh, I released my magic. Flurry charged hers, and started skipping forward in flashes of light.
*****
Golly, teleportation is disorientating. If I still had the ability to, I’d throw up.
It, however, was worth it. A week-long jog became an hour of magically popping forward until my navigation system told me we’d arrived. Not that I need that. A fortress of metal made that evident enough.
A fortress adorned with a familiar banner, an apple with three mechanical cogs.
Flurry yelped and scampered backwards as she realized what she just warped us right in front of, unfortunately catching the attention of power-armored guards.
“Alicorns! Scouts from the Goddess!” They all leveled their weapons at us.
“Scouts from the what?” My puzzlement distracted me from a volley of rockets launched in our direction.
Flurry reacted fast enough to warp herself away, forgetting about me. My own reflexes failed me again, and I ate an explosion that launched me into a rockface.
“Ow. Rude!” While my loaned outfit was scorched and tattered, I was fine. I couldn’t say the same for the boulders around me as more rockets struck them.
“No, no, NO!” I did not want to be trapped again, but I wasn’t faster than gravity.
A prison of cold stone closed around me.
*****
“Did that get her?” One filtered voice spoke.
“Had to have.” Another replied. “These things are tough, but even they can’t survive getting crushed.”
“Both of you, keep your eyes peeled for the other one!” The third voice wasn’t filtered, but was by far the most booming and commanding.
Time to show these fools who they’ve messed with. My crystal prison could block my magic, but rocks had no such effect. I could hear a panicked shuffle from the Rangers as the boulders began to glow brick red. Another volley of explosions nearly broke my concentration, but I pressed on, lifting the rubble until I had room to stand.
Once I had the space, I charged a vaporization spell, and unleashed it around me. Stone that didn’t turn to ash was shattered into chunks, which I then used as projectiles to pelt my power-armored attackers.
Before they could recover, I yanked the nearest towards me, tearing off their weapons and flipping them upside down. With a bit of telekinetic precision, and insider knowledge of how these suits were built, I unlatched and removed the Ranger’s helmet. A terrified mare was revealed, having an eggshell coat, a short and bouncy yellow mane, and slate gray eyes.
“Knight Daisy Pusher, get out of the line of fire!” I glanced past my hostage to see who was barking orders. A yak. A very large yak.
“I can’t!” Daisy flailed her reinforced hooves in a futile attempt to escape my magical grasp.
“Do you have any idea who you’re shooting at!?” I demanded. “You almost blew up Twilight Sparkle’s niece, you buffoons!”
Another Ranger looked at their gigantic, robed superior. “Paladin, that other one did match Flurry Heart’s description. Neither of them look like any of the Goddess’ monsters we’ve seen before.”
“This one has a cutie mark!” Daisy called out. I looked up to see her staring at my exposed flank, and punished the pervert with a mild shake.
“What are you?” The Paladin demanded.
“Not what you think I am, that’s for sure.” I scoffed. “I’ve never heard of any Goddess.” They’re probably someone on the east coast. Sounds like I need to start sending scouts over there, once this situation with the changelings is figured out.
“That does not answer my question.” The yak retorted.
“My name is Cozy Glow, and I’m the General of the Equus Commonwealth Vanguard.” Please don’t make me explain how I’m an alicorn. I doubt you can comprehend it.
“Cozy…” The unnamed Ranger glanced between me and the Paladin. “Sir, she can get the Stable open!”
The yak turned to his subordinate. “Explain, Crusader.”
I’ll let the Crusader speak. Let’s see what they know about me.
“Cozy Glow worked for the Office of Inter-Ministry Affairs. She was a research consultant for various projects, working most closely with the Ministries of Arcane Science, Awesome, and Wartime Technologies.” A concise summary, Crusader. Good job.
I was a little disappointed that my contributions to the Ministry of Peace weren’t mentioned. The cybernetic organs I designed saved a lot more lives than just my own. Well, saved being a relative term.
The Crusader continued. “She was also known to work with Stable-Tec from time to time.”
“That Stable is why I’m here, actually.” I interrupted. “I want to return its residents to the Crystal Empire.”
The Paladin wore a thoughtful expression. “...Perhaps we can work something out.”
I smiled and set Daisy down, then turned towards another outcropping of icy boulders. “Flurry? Come on out.”
The Empress apprehensively stepped out into the open, and the Rangers thankfully didn’t raise their weapons. I noticed that Flurry was disguising any hint of her changeling heritage. That was for the best.
After some proper introductions, Paladin Yksler the Fifth led us into the fort built around Stable 117.
*****
I say fort, but it was barely an outpost. The Paladin, Crusader Frosthooves, five Knights, and three Scribes made up its entire population. Based on how few of their supply crates were opened, they hadn’t been here long. Looking beyond the outpost, I could barely make out the ruins of a crystal town. Not a very big one. If this Stable has a typical population capacity, every resident could have been saved from the balefire.
Daisy was hospitable enough to lend me a winter robe to replace the outfit her rocket burned and shredded. All is forgiven, I suppose.
Frosthooves never took his helmeted gaze off Flurry. As long as he kept his guns down, that was fine. Star Metal made me indestructible, but the half-changeling alicorn was flesh and blood. If caught off guard, she could be killed like anyone else.
It didn’t take long to reach the Stable door, and I immediately saw the problem. The exterior controls were damaged by a rockslide beyond repair. The door itself was half-covered by debris. Flurry and I got to work clearing it.
“As long as the entranceway layout is standard, I should be able to find the interior controls and use those.” I focused my telekinesis beyond the meter of solid steel before me, and visualized where the panel of buttons and switches would be.
Feeling around with magic was an odd experience, but I’ve done enough tinkering with the internals of machines to have the hang of it. Finding the keypad, I began inputting an administrative override code. A handy Stable skeleton key I got from Scootaloo during my dealings with her.
Sure enough, the door cycling sequence initiated with a cacophony of centuries-old motors and scraping metal.
Having some idea of how Steel Rangers operated, I began negotiations. “Any technology in there is yours. Flurry and I just want to bring the residents home.”
Yksler nodded. “We were intending to simply leave them in stasis, aside from one.”
“Paladin.” Crusader Frosthooves interjected, gesturing towards Flurry. “Present company may take issue with our goal here.”
Flurry Heart’s ears perked up in interest. “What makes you say that? Who is this one resident you’re here for?”
Frosthooves took a moment to carefully choose his words. “An individual with exceptionally high level security clearances with the Ministry of Arcane Science.” He looked at me. “More so than even you.”
It took only a few moments for Flurry and I to realize who he was talking about.
“...Dad?” The Empress’s eyes went wide and she rushed ahead into the Stable’s depths. The rest of us followed with haste.
I spoke to the Rangers as we galloped. “If you’re here to abduct Shining Armor, she’s going to do a little more than take issue with it!”
“We only want his codes!” Frosthooves claimed, loud enough that Flurry might hear him.
“That had better be the truth!” I scolded.
*****
We reached the lower level where the cryo pods were kept to find Flurry frantically checking each one, rubbing frost off the pods’ windows to inspect each resident.
A Scribe trotted over to a diagnostics station, and confirmed that everything was still functioning nominally. The residents, all five hundred forty seven of them, were alive and healthy in their icy slumber. Even if these were the last of the crystal ponies, their population could rebuild from this.
“I found him,” the Scribe announced. “Pod two-six-eight, one floor down.”
Flurry didn’t wait for us.
“Why is Shining here, and not in Stable 111?” I asked.
Yksler answered. “We’re not sure. We simply found a database that logged him checking in to this shelter. He wasn’t a planned resident. Our best guess, the bombs started falling, and this was the nearest Stable.”
Away from his family when tragedy struck… At least he still has his daughter.
My brow furrowed as questions surfaced in my mind.
Does he know that Flurry is half changeling? Who exactly was her mother? Chrysalis? How?
This was going to be a complicated reunion.
*****
Shining’s daughter was found in front of his pod, practically hugging it, her face pressed to the glass and tears running down her cheeks. I urged her to back away so the Scribes could unseal it.
“Reanimation sequence; initialized. Enjoy your return to the surface, and thank you for choosing Stable-Tec!”
It always warmed my heart in an odd way to hear Scootaloo’s pre-recorded voice. Her, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom… Oh, we hated each other back in my delinquent filly days. Eventually, I matured and we became friends. I was so dumb as a foal. Brilliant, but dumb.
The pod rapidly defrosted, and hydraulics whined as it opened. Flurry trembled as her father began to stir.
Shining gasped and groaned as he regained consciousness. “I… What… Where?” When his eyes finally focused, and locked with his daughter’s, his confusion was replaced with a new emotion. Fear.
He began to hyperventilate, and looked around at the Steel Rangers. “Help! Get that monster away from me!”
The power armored ponies went on edge, leveling their weapons towards Flurry. I responded by raising a magical shield wall between them.
Flurry’s focus was entirely on Shining. Her eyes were filled with heartache, and her voice was cracking. “I’m… I’m your daughter…”
Shining Armor clambered out of the pod and joined the Rangers. “No, you’re not! You’re a changeling! Just like she was!”
I was starting to see why he wasn’t in the Empire’s capital. He must have learned some terrible truths during the last day, and fled.
He wasn’t in great shape, patches of lost fur being indicative of radiation sickness. That further reinforced my assumption that he trekked here while the bombs were falling.
“She’s the child of Chrysalis!” Shining accused.
Flurry whimpered. “I’m your child, too…” She sniffed and stomped a hoof. “I’m the only reason you know! I broke her spell on your mind! I freed you!”
Chrysalis must have taken Cadance’s place and impersonated her for years. Did she murder the real Princess of Love? Was there a chance she just was imprisoned somewhere?
Shining looked around at the other pods. “You’re here to take these ponies and feed on them, aren’t you!?”
I interjected. “No! We need them to restore the Crystal Heart. They do that, and the changelings won’t have to feed on anyone.”
“The ponies in 111 weren’t enough for that?” Frosthooves asked.
Flurry stepped back, folding her ears in shame. “They… can’t. I… I didn’t know… My people were so hungry…”
Yksler’s face twisted in disgust to match Shining’s. “You… What of the other Stables?”
Flurry took another step back, her head dropping even lower.
Her father shook with rage. “K-Kill it!”
The Paladin raised a hoof in immediate agreement. “Open fire!”
My shield instantly felt the combined onslaught of heavy caliber machine guns and lasers. Flurry curled into a sobbing ball behind me.
“Get us out of here!” I commanded. I didn’t want to have to kill these Rangers, and I definitely didn’t want Shining to get hurt. Worse yet, a fight could damage the other pods, or even cause a system-wide malfunction. “Flurry, teleport us away!” I had to give her a firm kick to snap her out of it enough to do as I said.
Flurry let out an agonized wail of pent-up emotion before bathing both of us in diamond-blue light.
Disorientation gave way to brief panic as I found myself in freefall. Flurry and I ended up in the sky, almost at the Single Pegasus Project’s cloud blanket. Spreading my wings, I caught myself. Looking around, I spotted the changeling Empress plummeting towards the ground. Realizing she wasn’t conscious, I dove after her and enveloped her in telekinesis.
Not wanting to injure her with whiplash, I slowed her descent gradually. Finally coming to a stop, I took a moment to take in my surroundings. We weren’t in the Frozen North anymore. The lack of snow and ice made that apparent, and instead I saw endless green forests. My navigation software wasn’t very helpful, simply stating that we were in an unmapped region. At least the compass works.
I looked around for any sort of landmark on the horizon. Mountains. Tall, narrow, snow-peaked mountains that I thankfully recognized. The Smokey Mountains were somehow northeast of us.
Sweet Celestia, Flurry Heart warped us halfway across the continent! Just how powerful is she?
Speaking of which, the changeling did not look good. Her body and face were gaunt, her mane dull and flat, and any disguise spells were broken. She was completely magically drained. Given her nature, she could die if she didn’t feed soon.
Question is, would I allow that? Should I allow that? She’s killed thousands. The crystal ponies are all but extinct because of her.
Then again, it’s clear she didn’t know what else to do. If she knew how the Crystal Heart worked from the start, there’s a good chance the bugs and ponies would be coexisting today without issues.
I could try to give her my energy, but I don’t know if synthetic magic will work for her. Maybe I could find some animals? Well, first things first, let’s get out of the middle of the air.
*****
After making sure there wasn’t any radiation, I set Flurry down in the grass. Weighing my options, I decided to give her just enough magic to get her up and moving. With care, I touched my pristine horn to her crooked and porous one. A red glow shifted to cyan as it transferred from my body to hers.
Groaning, Flurry groggily got up, rubbing her reddened eyes. “Cozy? What… Where are we?”
“Some unexplored part of the White Tail Forest, I think.” I sighed, then narrowed my gaze. “You owe me an explanation.”
She cocked her head. “Regarding?”
Where to begin? “What did Chrysalis do to Princess Cadance and Shining Armor? What was her plan?”
Flurry’s ears flattened. “She killed Cadance. Took her place, and put a spell on Shining to enslave him. As for her plan, she was going to wait out the war with the zebras. Once them and Equestria were weak enough, she was going to take over both.”
That was ambitious, to say the least. “What changed?”
“Mega spells were invented.” Flurry explained. “Suddenly, revealing herself would have been certain suicide. If the zebras or ponies knew how infested the Empire was, they’d turn it into a glass floor.”
Two centuries prior, I would have said cooler heads would have prevailed. Now, I know better. The changelings really had no choice but to hide.
She continued. “Of course, the bombs came anyway. Mom… She shielded the city from the worst of it while everyone got into the shelters. Protected her hive.” Sadness filled her face. “Dad… All my life, I wanted to know the real him, not the puppet mom turned him into. With the world exploding, I thought it was my last chance to… I broke the spell. Told him everything.” She winced. “He flew into a rage, killed mom, and fled.”
She stomped a hoof, and tears began to fall into the grass. “How could I have thought he’d do anything else, then or now? I should have known he’d hate us. I should have known he’d still hate me.” She started to sob. “My own father hates me, and he has every right to! I’m a monster!”
Against my better judgment, I wrapped myself around her. “I know it’s not the same, but I have some idea what you’re going through. Having a father who resents you for existing is rough. I… I know you’re trying. We’ll figure this out.”
Easier said than done. Shining and those Rangers aren’t going to let us anywhere near those crystal ponies. “Look, if we can make our way to Seaddle, you can call off Tenna and I will get volunteers to restore the heart.”
Flurry glared at me. “How do I know I can trust you?”
Really? “I have been nothing but honest and helpful. I just want peace between us.” I sighed. “Let me give you some more magic, enough so you can fly.”
Our horns touched again, and I felt energy leave my body and enter hers. Flurry soon looked much healthier.
“...Thank you. I… I guess I can trust you.” Her brow furrowed. “I guess I’m the one who needs to earn trust.”
Accurate, but let’s continue. “The nearest Commonwealth settlement should be Cervimento. From there we can get a ride to Seaddle.”
I took off, and immediately felt a little woozy. Flurry must have needed more magic than I realized.
“Golly… Hang on, I need to charge for a couple hours.” I began gaining altitude.
“Charge?” Flurry asked, understandably confused.
I stopped to explain. “This body’s power cells aren’t limitless. Every now and then I need to fly up above the clouds and collect solar energy.”
She winced. “Aren’t you worried about the Enclave?”
“No, they don’t have patrols out in the middle of nowhere.” My wings began to carry me up again. “I’ll be fine. Just find someplace safe to wait for me.”
With that, I gave her the robe Daisy had gifted me. The sun won’t do me any good if there’s a thick layer of cloth blocking it. Plus, it was getting uncomfortably warm.
Now wearing nothing but my mother’s yellow ribbons, which Tenna thankfully didn’t take, I made my way above the clouds. Just in case, I eased up slowly through the final layer, checking around. All clear. While they’re not a threat to me, an unnecessary fight with Enclave soldiers would make this situation all the more complicated.
Finding an extra comfy cloud to stretch out on, I closed my eyes and got some rest while the golden energy of sunshine did its work.
*****
oooOOOooo
My mother’s hoof gently and shakily stroking my mane struggled to distract me from the steady beeping of a life support machine. Adjusting myself beneath the sterile white sheets she and I shared, I rested my head closer to the center of her chest, listening to her weakening heartbeat and ragged, shallow breaths.
Mellow Cottage didn’t have much time left. I knew that. The doctor and nurses in the room knew that. My father knew that, too, even if he was hiding in the bottom of a bottle at home, refusing to accept it.
Spending my nights with mom had been my after-school ritual for weeks now, ever since her sickness left her bedridden. Even her state, she’d still try to be a teacher, quizzing me on what the day’s lessons were. But not today. She was too weak.
I could barely keep the tears out of my eyes long enough to look at her. She was still so young. Too young to look so ill. Far too young for her blank flank daughter to lose her.
Her once gorgeous blue coat was frayed and patchy, and much of her curly pink mane had fallen out. Mellow’s brick red eyes met mine, and a comforting smile lifted the freckles on her cheeks.
“Cozy… sweetheart… it’s alright…” She hugged me close to her chest again. The beat of her heart was fading. “Promise me… you’ll be a good filly… and you’ll grow up to be a good mare.”
My tiny voice squeaked. “I promise.”
Her horn glowed and tightened the ribbons she had given me. My mother used what little strength she had left to pull me close enough to kiss my forehead. “I love you. Always.” Her strength failed her, and she rasped a few times as she collapsed back into a lying position. “And… I know he doesn’t show it, but your father loves you too.” She chuckled. “So be patient with that silly stallion.”
I nodded and hugged her. “I will. I love you, mom.”
Mellow’s hoof stroked my mane one last time, then fell limp. Her whole body became motionless. I couldn’t hear her heart, only a droning note from the machine.
My mother was gone.
oooOOOooo
*****
The sound of sniffles met me as I woke. A pair of sad, blue eyes looking down at me caused me to jolt up with a start. “Flurry!”
My traveling companion stepped back, her horn ceasing to glow. “I’m sorry!” She sniffed again and wiped tears away with a hoof.
“Were you watching my dreams!?” A violation of privacy like that is not the way to gain my trust!
Her ears folded. “I’m sorry… It’s easier than talking… You said you knew what I’m going through. I wanted to see for myself. I’m sorry…”
I relaxed, but only a little. “Okay, well, ask permission next time!”
Flurry nodded ashamedly. “Can we keep moving?”
Looking around, I could see it was nearly sunset. For such a short dream, a lot of time had passed. “Yes, let’s.”
We burrowed back below the clouds and properly began our flight. Cervimento was a couple days away, more than enough time to tell Flurry about my upbringing rather than let her read my mind in my sleep.
*****
The night brought with it a cool wind, which caressed us as we glided above the trees. On the horizon we saw the flickering of lights of Cervimento, and the glistening of dark waves beyond them. Well, I could see them with magnified vision. Flurry and I were still over a day away, and her vision likely can’t pierce such a distance.
“So…” Flurry Heart broke the silence. “I saw what happened to your mother. What about your father?”
At least she’s asking this time. “Well, we were already struggling before Mellow got sick. Manehattan’s an expensive place to live, even in the slums.
“After she was gone, my father, Pawn Check, couldn’t support us with his job at the docks alone. He had to get more involved in his brother’s business. Organized crime. My uncle was a mafia boss named Gutter Ball. A big one, too. He ran practically all of Manehattan’s underworld.
“Pawn… wasn’t very good at being a gangster. I think being family is the only reason Gutter put up with him. Still, he did what he had to do to provide. Anyway, it wasn’t long before I had to start pulling my own weight. Picking pockets, distracting police, whatever. Mom would have been so disappointed with me…
“One day, a job went bad. It was just sticking up a small bank, easy pickings. I was outside doing my usual ‘lost filly’ routine to keep any nearby cops occupied. Then… gunshots. Police rushed in. I followed. Pawn… My father was on the ground, bleeding from his chest and back, paralyzed from a slug that went through his spine.
“I barely had a moment with him before he passed. He didn’t even get to say anything to me.”
Silence fell as I stifled choked sobs. My eyes can’t form tears, so it’s the closest to crying my synthetic body can manage.
Flurry flew close and put a hoof on my shoulder. “How did you… How’d you get by on your own?”
After composing myself, I explained. “I was sixteen by then. Old enough to take his place in the gang. It wasn’t long before I was one of Gutter’s most reliable enforcers. There was me, a mare named Babs Seed, and a couple griffons. The Lammergeier twins, who didn’t talk much. Or at all, now that I think about it… Anyway, we ran all the most important and profitable jobs. Blackmailing politicians, keeping businesses paying their dues, the theft and sale of antiquities and substances… We were very good at it.
“I started getting greedy. Ambitious. I wanted to be in charge. I felt more deserving and qualified than my uncle, but I didn’t have the strength to oust him on my own. I was just a little pegasus, and he was a huge, hulking powerhouse of a unicorn.
“I needed something to tip the scales in my favor, and an opportunity presented itself. Manehattan’s Museum of Arcane Artifacts, in the interest of national security, was transferring some of its more dangerous items to Canterlot. Princess Celestia was overseeing their transport by train personally.
“The Alicorn Amulet was my goal. With that power, all of Gutter’s goons would answer to me without question. Babs was the only one I thought I could trust to help me get it. The plan went well at first. Bypassing magic security fields was foal’s play for me. As was knocking out guards with some gas grenades I put together. Then Babs…”
I spat. “She threw me under the wagon, tattled on me. The Princess and Royal Guard were waiting for me in the vault carriage. I thought for sure I was going to prison.”
Flurry tilted her head. “You… weren’t? Did you get away somehow?”
A smug smile crept from my lips as I shook my head. “Nope. Turns out, Celestia was impressed. After I was detained, the Princess looked into my background. Flawless school record with a high aptitude towards magical studies. I… guess she also took pity on me regarding my parents. Anyway, she enrolled me into her School for Gifted Unicorns.”
The changeling blinked. “But you were a pegasus.”
“Yeah,” I grinned, “and I still got better grades than any other pony there. Even started tutoring other students.” My smile became bittersweet. “That’s how I met Radieux. He excelled at art and history, but struggled everywhere else. Poor stallion would’ve flunked out without my help.”
I fell quiet, letting my mind get lost in nostalgic memories. Flurry didn’t pry further, apparently satisfied.
*****
The remainder of our flight gave me time to think about how I was going to handle things. There’s no way Tenna will be expecting me to show up so soon, especially from the south. First thing I need to do when we get into town is send a message to Fort Reinier, tell them I’m being impersonated. That, and make it absolutely clear that I want the infiltrators taken alive.
Thanks to Flurry, I knew that changelings can’t maintain their illusions while unconscious. I’ll instruct my people to use stun weapons on anyone suspicious. This wasn’t a foolproof strategy. Tenna has already proved herself to be very clever, and I’ve seen that changelings can turn into inanimate objects. She will almost certainly slip away. In the bustling city of Seaddle, she’ll be almost impossible to find.
I couldn’t help but wonder what harm she could have already done while wearing my face. If it weren’t for me having a literal internal clock, I’d have had no idea how much time had passed while I was sealed in crystal. I was imprisoned for over three weeks. An entire invading force could have been smuggled into the Commonwealth in that time.
Flurry assured me that Tenna wouldn’t do anything major without her order, but I had my doubts. Tenna seemed far more competent than Flurry Heart. If I were that little bug, I’d be taking matters into my own hooves.
The writing was on the wall. The Crystal Empire had been getting by sustaining themselves on the ponies frozen in stasis, but they had run out. Flurry’s plan of using the Crystal Heart was tenuous at best. The pragmatic solution was moving the hive to a new feeding ground.
I know they’re doing what they think they have to in order to survive. I understand what that’s like. They just need to be shown a better way. To do that, I needed to find one.
*****
The potential wrench in any plan of action I come up with is Flurry. She’s trying to hide it, but she’s in distress. She’s not in a state of mind to think clearly. She hasn’t been for two hundred years.
“You know,” I began, “Your changelings are very different. What happened to them?”
She blinked at my sudden question. “I’m not really sure. Not long after Chrysalis died, we had a kind of… metamorphosis? Afterwards, we were able to somewhat sustain ourselves on our love for each other. It wasn’t enough, but it helped.”
That explains the bond I’d observed between the ones we captured. “Sounds like your mother was holding you all back.”
Flurry scoffed in anger, but it wasn’t directed towards me. “Oh, you have no idea. That egomaniac… It’s her fault I have no clue how to rule. She was so superior, so sure she’d never need a successor…”
I suppose I’m a little guilty of that myself. Not that I don’t have a plan in place if something somehow happened to me. I just seriously doubt it ever will.
My train of thought was interrupted by a very welcome subtle static in my head. We were close enough to Cervimento to get radio signals. With a smile, and a glow from my horn, I started sending signals to the Vanguard outpost there to expect me. Also, to have a uniform tailored and pressed. I am sick of being naked.
“Flurry,” I smirked, “in case you’re planning on disguising yourself, don’t. Honesty will help things go smoother. You will have diplomatic immunity as long as you behave.” I narrowed my gaze. “Any hint at treachery…”
She nodded, folding her ears. “I understand. You were my prisoner and now I’m yours.”
“No, it isn’t like that.” I assured her. “You just needed my help. Now I need yours to stop Tenna. I’m not convinced she’ll obey you, but it’s worth a try.”
Flurry puffed her chest. “I am her Empress. She must obey me.”
You certainly are your mother’s daughter, for better or worse.
*****
A squad of griffons and pegasi met us on the outskirts of the city. They wanted to put Flurry in restraints, but I ordered against it. After hastily making myself look like a General again, I led the flight into town.
Cervimento wasn’t unlike Whinnypeg in some regards. Built on the edge of large city ruins, along a river. It was a winning formula, after all. The main difference was that Cervimento was much larger and more developed, and significantly closer to the coast.
My guest could slip away and hide here, but I trusted her to realize how shortsighted that would be. We want the same thing, and cooperation is the best way to achieve it. Still, I kept a close eye on her.
We touched down in front of Cervimento’s Vanguard base, a ten-story stepped pyramid structure we dubbed Fort Ziggurat. Just as I was about to lead Flurry inside, a boom of thunder roared overhead.
Good, Wind Striker is here.
The powerful pegasus landed just behind us, kicking up leaves and dust. He was adorned in combat armor rather than an officer’s uniform, and kitted with a battle saddle mounted with both a machine gun and a novasurge pistol.
“Ma’am,” he began, “If you’d be kind enough to stand still for a moment.”
I smiled and complied, and the Major proceeded to shoot me a few times with the pistol’s stun setting.
Striker chuckled and relaxed when it had no effect. “Just making sure it’s really you, ma’am. Good to have you back.”
I exchanged salutes with him. “Of course, Major. Any word on Tenna?”
He sighed. “Afraid not. We’ve only captured a few bugs so far, and none match her description. Those we’ve caught won’t talk, either. This infiltration is proving far more effective than the one they tried in Whinnypeg.”
I glanced in Flurry’s direction. “Because that one was sloppy by design. Tenna wanted to get caught and lure me into a trap.”
“Yeah. I hate to say it, ma’am, but she had us completely fooled.” Striker was clearly ashamed to have been deceived. “Bug looked and acted just like you.” He looked at Flurry as well, with suspicion.
Before he could say anything, I explained. “Flurry Heart is here to help.”
The changeling Empress nodded. “I’ll call Tenna off. Cozy and I have another solution for my people’s… needs. We have an artifact called the Crystal Heart.”
I continued for her. “If we get volunteers to migrate to the Crystal Empire, they can empower the Heart, and the changelings can sustain themselves on the residual energy. Think of it this way; The Commonwealth gets another diplomatic foothold, and the changelings have no reason to attack us.”
Striker looked apprehensive, but nodded. “I’ll take your word for it, ma’am.”
There was a caveat. “There’s a good chance that Tenna is acting on her own, and won’t follow Flurry’s order.” The Empress puffed her chest, but I shot her a stare. “So we may still need to handle her the hard way.”
As we entered Fort Ziggurat, I was respectfully greeted by a tall, powerfully built striped mare. Aside from her officer uniform, she was adorned in a red Legate sash and a massive sword, both passed through her family for generations.
“It is a pleasure to see you, General. You as well, Major Striker.” Captain Zaire bowed to each of us. “Though I wish it were under better circumstances.”
“Agreed,” I began. “This is going to be an unpleasant and complicated operation. I’ll need your help retaking Seaddle.”
Being the garrison farthest from the Crystal Empire, I was confident that Zaire and her troops were the most likely to have avoided infiltration. Flurry’s accidental teleporting us this far was extremely fortuitous.
The warrior of tradition wore a thoughtful expression. “Clearly it won’t be as simple as sweeping through the streets. We have no way to identify our opponent.”
I nodded. “We must accomplish two things; Secure Fort Reinier, and capture Commander Tenna.” I noticed a glare from Flurry Heart. “Assuming she can’t be convinced to turn herself over.”
Wind Striker interjected. “If she doesn’t, and her changelings put up a fight, it’ll get bloody. Taking them alive might not be feasible.”
He looked apprehensively at the novasurge pistol on his battle saddle. Its stun setting has limited effectiveness, admittedly. There was, however, an alternative just offshore.
“I think Alcatrot can spare a battalion of guards,” I announced with a grin.
The Major blinked, then shared my smile. “Novatrons? That might just do.”
Captain Zaire rubbed her chin. “They’ve never been used on such a scale. Capturing lowly criminals is a far cry from fighting invaders. Invaders whom they cannot tell apart from our citizens.”
“There may be a way they can.” I countered, looking at Flurry. “All magic gives off unique frequencies. Even the illusion magic of changelings. I’ve been studying and isolating it while traveling with my companion here. The Novatrons’ scanners can be tuned to detect it. I didn’t mention this in my messages because I didn’t want to tip Tenna off.”
“That’s more like it!” Striker whooped. “Can our troopers’ EFS be tuned to detect it as well?”
“Of course,” I assured. “Tenna will be in for quite a shock when her disguises don’t work.”
*****
The wing of G-VIII transports touched down in the main courtyard of Alcatrot Prison. Built upon a relatively small island surrounded by harsh, cold waves, it had been a secure place to house lawbreakers since long before the bombs. Had things gone differently with that train heist to steal the Alicorn Amulet, I could have ended up here.
Crime not being a terribly common occurrence in the Commonwealth, the cells were primarily occupied by raiders and the like who were smart enough to surrender. They will be productive members of society some day, after serving their sentence and rehabilitating.
There weren’t many organic guards stationed here. That task fell primarily to Novatron security robots; a dramatic design overhaul of wartime Assault-Mares. Cloaking devices had been sacrificed for more effective armor, overcharged head-mounted lasers were exchanged for stun weapons and a TK projector, and the addition of turbine-supported wings increased their mobility. All to make them an effective force to bolster the policing duties of the Vanguard.
Stiker trotted beside me as I inspected the robots lining up at my command. “Ma’am, are you at all concerned that Tenna could take control of these things? She has your memories, your codes.”
I raised an incredulous brow. “Major, I designed all of this myself. I’m updating their encryptions as we speak.” Worry creased my face as I realized what he meant. “However, any robotic forces already at Reinier will probably be compromised, and it will take time for me to get control of them.”
“Of course,” he chuckled. “Can’t make things too easy, can we?”
Zaire stepped forward. “Do we know who in Seaddle can be trusted? Who are still themselves?” She turned to Striker. “What of Colonel Waxwing?”
The Major gave an assuring smile. “Icarus was really him last time I saw him. We, uh, shot each other to make sure.” He couldn’t stop himself from laughing. “Oh, you should have heard him whimper. Bloody hell, that stings!”
Even the always stoic Zaire snickered at his poor impression. “Speaking of which.” She sat in front of the pegasus, ready for her turn.
“That won’t be necessary.” I waved a hoof. “If she were a changeling, my scanners would notice.” I smiled at her. “Not that I don’t appreciate the gesture of trust.”
“On the topic of trust…” Flurry spoke up, a nervousness in her voice as she looked around at the intimidating prison. “I’d… understand if you wanted me to stay here. For what I’ve done. It… It’s what I’d deserve.”
That wasn’t something I expected her to bring up. She wasn’t wrong. Nevermind what she’d done to countless crystal ponies, she was directly responsible for the deaths of four Vanguard soldiers. I’d be remiss in my duty, to both the Vanguard and those soldiers’ families, not to enact some form of justice.
“You…” I took a moment to find the right words. “Once this is handled, you will stand trial and plead your case. For now, I still need your help. The more good you do, the more favorable the court’s decision will be.”
She nodded. “That’s fair.”
*****
All the G-VIII transports available to me were filled to the brim with my robot army, all calibrated to target changeling infiltrators and take them down. Non-lethally.
As we set off, I couldn’t help but think about the potential the changelings had to be valuable allies once this all worked out. I need scouts. I need an intelligence network keeping me updated about the goings on in the rest of the wasteland and beyond. I’ve been in the dark for far too long.
Who is the Goddess? Why are Steel Rangers hostile to alicorns? Are those rumors of slavers in Fillydelphia more of a problem than I realize?
All questions an army of shapeshifters could find me answers to. In the meantime, I needed to nip this brewing conflict at the bud.
I turned to Flurry, who was secured in the seat beside me, clinging to her harness for dear life. She clearly wasn’t a fan of my flying machines.
“Flurry, I need to be able to get into Tenna’s head when we confront her. What makes her tick?”
She blinked, and pondered a moment. “She’s loyal to her family above everything else. Her mate and nymphs back at the Empire. All she does, she does for them.”
That sent a pang through my heart, and then a flash of suspicion. “You’re not just saying that because of my history, right? To make me sympathetic?”
Flurry looked hurt by the accusation, then understanding. “It’s true. Deep down, all she wants is for them to be safe and prosper.”
Good. I can use that.
*****
Our approach to Seaddle was met with several wings of G-IX attack craft. I couldn’t begrudge them for following protocol, especially in this situation, but the idea of there being hostile changelings piloting them put me on edge.
“Glad to have you back with us, General.” Waxwing’s voice put me at ease just a bit.
Reaching out with my detection spell… Four. Four changelings, two sets of pilot and co-pilot. The ones impersonating my previous escort. Thankfully, not in Icarus’ chopper.
I didn’t say a word. It was far too early to reveal that I knew how to spot them.
We were going straight to Fort Reinier, flying past the bustling city and towards the mountain housing Stable 14. It’s a massive structure. While I have no doubt Tenna is still there, there are a lot of places she could hide.
The atmosphere as we touched down and began to unload was tense. I couldn’t be sure how the changelings would react to my arrival. According to my scans, dozens of them were posing as my soldiers. Thus far, as I tread across the tarmac, they played it cool. I made it inside without incident, and I signaled the Novatrons to spread out through the facility. Anywhere the infiltrators could hide. This operation will be swift.
*****
Seeing the Stable-turned-base has always evoked the same thought in my mind for a hundred years.
I miss Gallus.
Him, his wife, Gabby, their griffawns… Survivors of the great war, who never lost hope that things could be better.
They counted on me, as thousands more families are counting on me now. I won’t let them down like I let mine down.
I went straight to my office, what was once Gallus’ Overgriff office.
He served Stable 14 flawlessly. He got fifteen thousand souls through the apocalypse safe and sound. I owe it to him to keep their descendants safe.
The office was quaint and empty as ever. A desk with a terminal, a large, circular window overlooking one of the many atriums, a display case with many of Gallus’ things… Photos of him with family and friends, a newspaper clipping of his heroism during the war, his medals…
I looked up at the beautiful, blue, sunny sky painted on the ceiling. Gabby did that for him, to help with his claustrophobia.
A chuckle escaped me every time I thought about that. A classic Stable-Tec oversight to appoint someone with that condition to be the leader of an underground bunker for thirty years.
My only additions to the decor were some vases and paintings. They were crudely made, amateurish. They also had to be kept in sealed glass. One only had to notice the subtle pink hue to understand why.
“They look like they were made by foals.” Tenna’s voice would have surprised me, if my scanners didn’t see her coming. I admit, I wasn’t expecting her to come to me so willingly.
“They were.” My grim reply put a sorrowful, understanding look in her bulbous, glistening eyes.
“I’m sorry.” Tenna stepped up closer beside me. She knew she didn’t stand a chance against me in a straight fight. “It’s obvious you’ve got me beat. You’re here with Flurry, you’ve got those robots…”
I faced her. “If you call your forces off, none of them will be harmed. Tenna, Flurry and I have figured out how to fix things. The Crystal Heart will work.”
She looked doubtful. “How?”
“Love,” I answered. “I can get volunteers to move to the Empire. They can empower the Heart willingly and directly, and the changelings can feed on the ambient energy it produces. It’s a solution that’s been right under your nose this whole time.”
Tenna took a disbelieving step back, her face creasing in thought.
“Oh,” I continued, “in case you get any ideas…” I turned on some monitors, showing that my Novatrons have detained every changeling in the base.
She gave me a defeated pout. I returned it with a smug smirk.
“We have a lot to figure out, regarding terms.” My expression became stern. “You and Flurry have gotten some of my people killed, and you have to answer for that. Once the Heart is empowered, trials will-”
Flurry teleporting beside us interrupted me with a jolt. Before I could be angry with her, I noticed the terror in her eyes. She was hyperventilating, panicking… I knew something was horribly wrong before she spoke.
“T-The Empire!” she sputtered. “I don’t know what, or why, or how, but the Empire is in danger!”
Tenna snapped to attention. “What!? What makes you think that?” She glared at me. “What did you do!?”
I blinked in confusion. “Nothing! Flurry, what’s the problem?”
“I don’t know!” she whimpered, collapsing and shaking. “Every fiber of me is telling me my Hive is in peril!”
That doesn’t make any sense. What could possibly…
“Shining Armor.” My words locked both their attention onto me. Tenna’s face was confused, but Flurry’s was horrified. I continued.
“Flurry and I opened a Stable. Shining Armor, Flurry’s father, was there. So were Steel Rangers. They became hostile.”
Flurry nearly choked on her words. “They must have gone to the Empire…”
Tenna’s eyes went wide. “Our entire army is here! The Empire is defenseless! M-My family…”
“Tenna.” I spoke calmly and assuredly. “We will go straight there. I’ll get the choppers mobilized…”
“No time!” Flurry shouted, before engulfing us in light.
*****
No time whatsoever. As soon as we blipped into the Empire’s chilly outskirts, I had to adjust my olfactory senses to dull the stench of fire. Black smoke plumed from every building. Flames engulfed the towering palace.
Tenna was the first to launch into the air, crying in despair. “Canthus! Elytra! Ventra!”
Flurry and I followed quickly, but it didn’t take long before we found her, collapsed in the town center, below the palace. Flurry immediately fell to her side, wailing in guttural agony with her.
I very nearly joined them. If I could throw up, I would be.
Before us, where the Crystal Heart once was, was an enormous, burning pile of corpses.
