Canterlot City Chronicles: Invasion of the Changelings

Canterlot City Chronicles: Invasion of the Changelings

Chapter Two: The Assault

Written by: Fluttashift

I had my left hand firmly placed upon the weapon holstered in my belt while the other trembled. Sunset stood behind me; her eyes wide with fear. Her hands were trembling as well.

“Did you not hear me fool? Drop the damn weapon and give me the girl!” The man yelled, spit flying from his mouth as he pointed the gun at my head.

“W-what do you want with me?” Sunset asked innocently an earnest tone in her voice.

Who is this guy? Why are his eyes so different? He looks almost alien.

“Oh, drop the act! Sunset Shimmer playing the good, little human? Never thought I’d see the day!” A wicked grin spread across the man’s face.

She remained silent. I turned my head with a cocked eyebrow.

“What is this guy talking about? Do you know him?” Shimmer shook her head too scared to speak. I could see the fear in her eyes.

What the hell is going on? What does this have to do with the letter and ImageCorp?

Slowly, I unbuttoned the holster and pulled the cold, silver pistol out. Dropping it to the floor, I kicked it over to him. My hands were in the air acting as a signal of surrender.

“What do you want with the girl?” I shot him a glare daring him to answer me.

“The girl has sensitive information, Captain…” He paused for a minute as if for dramatic effect as he held the devilish grin.

“How the hell do you know that?!” I interrupted, pointing an accusing finger in his direction as my face grew red with anger.

“Didn’t you get the letter?” The man questioned his tone changing to a calm one.

“From ImageCorp? Did they send you?” My expression changed to one of shock. He fell silent and then broke into a hearty laugh.

“Is that what they told you?” His laughter continued.

He’s toying with me, stalling even. Seriously, who is this guy, and how does ImageCorp fit into this? Something isn’t right…

My gut was usually correct, but for once in years I prayed it wasn’t right. I kept my hands in the air.

“And what sensitive information does she have?” I shrugged placing my hands to my sides.

“The information she possesses is that she knows far too much about something you couldn’t even begin to fathom. Humans couldn’t understand. Too ignorant to what’s hiding in plain site. U.f.Os, monsters, other worlds, other dimensions.” He explained to me sounding annoyed, and shaking his head.

“What do you mean ‘humans’? What else would we be?”

Oh shit.

    “You’re not human are you?”.

“Does it matter? You’re dead either way. You served your useless purpose, Captain. Now, you can join your wife as soon as you hand over the whore.” He motioned his finger in a forward motion. Demanding that I give him Sunset.

“What the hell did you just say!”

How does he know so much about me? Is this creep really trying to convince me he’s some kind of alien. Yet, his eyes. So... bug-like.

“Go screw yourself!” Sunset yelled out stomping her foot on the ground and balling up her fists. “I’m not going anywhere, got that!” She gritted her teeth with a look that read I mean business.

There’s the Sunset I know. Figured, she couldn’t keep up the act. Never could all the years I’ve been dealing with her.

I shook my head. “Quiet Shimmer!” I ordered her.

“Now, Sunset be a good little girl and tell me where in the school the portal is. We’ve traced it to this location! Don’t you dare lie to me!” The man interjected using the gun to further prove his point.

“The portal? I have no idea what you're referring to.” Sunset folded her arms turning her head away, speaking in a matter-of-fact tone.

She’s always been a terrible liar, but what portal, and to where? What is going on here?

“Did I stutter, Shimmer? Don’t lie to me!” The man was getting angry. His voice was raised to a high volume as he shook the gun. More spit escaped his jaws.

“Even if I knew, why would I tell you? Either way I’m dead.” She said as if challenging him.

“Always so smart!” The man began walking up to us. He seemed to grow taller and more muscular as he came forward. The barrel of the rifle was now pressed against Sunset’s forehead.

“Listen, you unicorn scum. Tell me where the damn portal is and maybe I won’t kill your pretty little friends all bound and gagged in the gym.” Another wicked grin made it’s way across his face.

Did he just say unicorn?

Sunset grew angry. “Don’t you put your filthy hands on them!” She spit in his face after screaming at the top of her lungs.

“Wrong answer.” He replied.

Before he could pull the trigger, I swiftly swung at him. My fist impacted his ribs causing the breath to leave his lungs. He stumbled backwards dropping his weapon onto the floor. I quickly picked it up and pointed it at him. Recovering, he raised his hands, and backed up. Almost tripping over the Principal’s desk.

“What the hell are you talking about. What portal? What unicorn? Do you expect me to believe this shit!?” I screamed at him demanding some answers.

“No. I already said you couldn’t understand. You’re just too ignorant, so simple minded. ‘How could things like that exist’. You’re trying to piece it all together, but the puzzle shouldn’t exist and yet it stares you in the face. Still, you deny it.”. The man shook his head letting out a sigh.

“Really, jerkoff? How about you enlighten me then? What are you, part of some freaky cult or something? Stop talking in riddles and make some sense!” I spoke to him in the most demanding and authoritative voice I could muster.

“I can’t explain what you cannot comprehend. I would have an easier time describing colors to a blind man. Why do you even defend her? After all the trouble she’s caused. After what she did to the school, to the students! She’s a plague in any world she’s in.”

“What she did to the school? She’s a little brat and a troublemaker. You expect me to believe a high school girl demolished the entire front of the school?” I began to laugh at the thought.

“I hope you don’t actually believe she’s a high school girl. How foolish. You could say her and I are one in the same. Isn’t that right, Shimmer?” His head turned to Sunset.

“We are nothing alike! You monster!” She rebuked looking disgusted.

“You think you’re any less of a monster than me? Trying to use the Elements to take over Equestria. That’s not much better than our assault during the wedding.” The man teased her.

“Equi‒what? Like as in horses? What the hell are you rambling on about, you nutcase?” I interjected with a shake of my weapon.

“Shoot me! Go ahead Bullet! You need me alive. How else would you extract the information? Not that I would be foolish enough to talk. I’m Brute, the loyal right-hoof warrior of the Queen herself!” The man finally had a name to put to his face.

“Right hoof? Queen? What kind of shit are you on?” The more he explained, the more confused I became. That confusion soon turned into irritation, and I began to feel my blood boil.

He had a point. I couldn’t kill him. I needed answers. I desperately needed those.

“Tell me where the portal is!” Brute shouted at Shimmer charging forward.

Sunset froze her eyes widened in fear. The hulking man rushing toward her.

“Shimmer! Run!” I screamed trying to put some sense into her clouded mind.

The warning fell upon deaf ears. Turning the gun, I pulled the trigger. The gun began to jerk upwards as I blindly fired. My mind only thinking to aid her before she is killed. Bullets flew around the room, putting holes into the office wall’s, but every shot missed and each bullet traveled farther above the other.  Sunset ran around me heading for the non-existent door now an extension of the hallway. Brute swiftly turned knocking me to the floor with a powerful push. The rifle flew out of my hands and into the air. The sound of bullets ceased as the gun fell to the floor.

I hit the ground hard on my right side. Pain shot through me, but I was stronger than that. I shook it off and got to my feet dusting myself off. Both of them were no longer within the room. I heard two sets of feet moving in the hallway. Quickly, I picked up the rifle and my pistol and ran after them. I could see a blur of black at the end of the stretching hallway turning right. Without hesitation, I gave chase hoping to catch up.

I can’t let him kill her, or get whatever information he needs. Whoever, *whatever** this Brute is. He means business.*

I stopped and grabbed my walkie pressing a button on it’s side. “This is Captain Shellcase, I need backup at Canterlot High, I repeat backup at Canterlot High.”. Releasing the button, I prayed for a reply.

No reply came. Frantically, I repeated the request once more. Still, no answer came.

“Dispatch, do you read me?” I began to feel nervous, then I realized there was no static. Come to think about it, the thing hasn’t made any racket since the man appeared. I checked to see if the thing was turned on and it was. I tossed it in a fit and ran turning right only to find the two had made their way to another location.

Where did they go?

My head darted behind me to the stretching hallway leading to a set of glass doors. A red, glowing exit sign hung above the doors. However it wasn’t the sign that caught my eye it was the movement outside. I could only make out a group of people making their way toward the doorway.

I turned and ran forward at a quickening pace. Deciding being out in the open wasn’t a good idea, I broke for the nearest classroom. To the left was a door leading to one. I turned the knob and luckily it wasn’t locked.

Upon entering, I slammed the door behind me. To my surprise, there was no one in the classroom.

Where is everyone? School doesn’t let out for another hour.

I heard a massive explosion confirming the group of mysterious figures had entered the school. Shuffling footsteps could be heard as the group made their way further down the hallway.

I ran to the closet in the back of the classroom. Opening the metal door, I hid inside. It was a small room cramped with boxes of equipment like beakers, test tubes, magnifying glasses, and other objects. The door of the classroom burst open and the sound of four sets of feet could be heard entering the room.

“Rip the room apart. Find clues to the portals whereabouts, and if it breathes, kill it.” I heard a raspy voice command the others.

Slow steps could now be heard as I slowly and quietly pointed the rifle forward. Soon, the closet door swung open and my finger pulled back on the trigger. Two bullets shot through the intruder’s skull. The charcoal skinned man dropped to the floor in a meaty thud.

         One man in front of me standing between a line of desks turned quickly and pulled back on the trigger of his rifle. Bullets shot through the air as I ran to my right after exiting the closet. I shot at the assailants legs impacting both his kneecaps causing him to fall to the floor. He screamed, writhing in pain as his weapon dropped onto the floor.

The two others turned, and shot at me as I leaped to the floor. Sliding a bit, I managed to toss my weapon and whip my pistol out. Rolling onto my back, I aimed down the sights and shot one hostile in the chest. He jerked to his right on impact and fell onto his back. I killed the final intruder with a shot to the head.

One last bullet shot from the final henchman's weapon. It grazed my leg causing a small cut in my pants and skin. A bit of blood trickled from the wound It stung a little but it wasn’t anything compared to what I’m used to. I got to my feet and dropped the magazine of my pistol to the ground causing a clack sound. Reaching into a pouch on my belt, I pulled out a magazine, jammed it into the gun, and cocked it back.

          The wall directly in front of me exploded forward in a rush off dust and debris. The impact of the blast sent the steel teacher’s desk hurtling forward. It smashed into the back wall of the room.

Eight henchmen made their way forward after the dust cleared. They all clutched the same assault rifles and had the same bug-like eyes. I darted to the large bookshelf near the wall and hid behind it.

“We know you’re in here, Captain! You’re dead!” A thug yelled out trying to scare me out of my hiding spot.

How am I gonna make it out of this one? There’s about eight of them, heavily armed, and it won’t be long before they spot me. What should I do?

“Hey, pricks!” I heard a familiar voice.

Wait...Sunsets here? She must of heard the gunshots, but where’s Brute?

The sound of rapid-firing bullets cracked through the air. I heard the henchmen drop, and, slowly, I walked out of my hiding spot. My hands were raised to show I was friendly.

“Captain Shellcase, thank Celestia I found you!” Sunset exclaimed, dropping her weapon, and running up to me.

“Thank who?” I asked incredulously, raising an eyebrow. “What was Brute talking about?”

“I-it doesn’t matter right now!” Shimmer stuttered trying to change the subject.

“Yes it does!” I screamed at her. “You know things, Sunset. Things that don’t even make sense!” I pointed an accusing finger in her face.

“My friends could be killed!” She rebuked stomping her foot on the floor.

“You don’t have friends! The students are terrified of you! You harass them to get what you want! I’m not risking my ass for those two lackeys of yours!” My finger remained in her face. “Now, tell me what you know!” She smacked my finger out of her face.

“That isn’t who I am anymore! I’m not referring to Snips and Snails! They stopped talking to me a few days ago anyway!”

“There goes that phrase again. What did happen a few days ago?” My blood was boiling.

She keeps changing the subject! What is she hiding?

“I can’t explain now! After we save my friends, I promise I’ll tell you everything I know.” Her tone turned to a soft one as she placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “No matter how crazy it sounds.” She took me by surprise with her gesture. It was one of assurance as the look in her eyes were sincere.

“Alright.” I let out a sigh. “We’ll save your friends, but I expect you to hold up your end of the bargain, or you’ll be spending a night in jail.” Sunset smiled and nodded as she led me into the hallway.

“Where is Brute?” I asked out of curiosity.

“I lost him. I think he may be heading for the gym. That’s where he figures I’d go.” She replied without turning her head.

“Lead the way to the gym, Shimmer. Just be on the lookout for those thugs. I doubt those couple we killed were the only ones.” Sunset responded only with a nod as we rounded the corner.

The trek to the gym was surprisingly quiet as we walked down different hallways all housing the same line of green lockers on each side. We made a few turns before we came to a set of large red doors that led into the gymnasium. I peeked in through a small rectangular glass window one located in the same spot on each door.

Inside, I could see all the students bound and gagged, kneeling on the floor of the gym. There was at least ten or so henchmen patrolling around the gym, all in various different areas. Some were walking around the large circle of captured students and faculty making sure none of them tried anything. Three thugs stood upon the stage at the far end of the room. Two were walking back and forth while one stood in the middle.

On the stage, there were seven chairs with five students tied up. sitting in them with gags in their mouths. They were all female and my jaw dropped as I realized those must be Sunset’s friends. It was as if they were on display. In the other two seats sat the Principal as well as the Vice-Principal.

“I found your friends. You’re not gonna like this.” I warned her but she pushed me aside and peeked in.

“Those bastards! We need to save them!” She whispered sounding scared.

“I’m working on it!” I snapped at her.

“Are you now?” A booming voice came from behind us.

Oh shit!

“Time to join your friends, Sunset.” Brute teased as a gun was pressed against both are backs.

We were escorted into the room by Brute and a few henchman led to the circle of bound students and faculty. The gun in our backs told us to keep moving and we were forced up a small set of steps. Soon, we were on the stage standing behind the row of chairs.

“Sunset, what’s going on?” A rainbow haired, cyan skinned girl in shorts and a t-shirt asked.

“Whatever do these barbarians want with us?” A purple haired and snowy white skinned girl spoke up in an accent I hadn’t heard before, it sounded very fancy though. She wore a white top with a purple skirt.

“Quiet!” Brute hollered, slapping the girls.

“Don't you touch them!” Sunset screamed, gritting her teeth.

Brute broke into a hearty laugh. “Did you forget that we hold all the cards girl? Tell us where the portal is!” He demanded, slapping her.

There was a red mark across her face where he slapped her. “The statue! The statue in front of the school! That’s the portal! Now, let my friends go!” She said through tears.

“Thank you for your cooperation, Sunset.” He ruffled her hair with a grin on his face. Brute turned to the thug on his right. “Get the chopper ready and load the statue.” The henchman nodded and took a couple thugs with him, speaking in some strange language.

Brute turned to Sunset. “Now for your prize!” He said in a teasingly excited tone. Brute walked over to the rainbow haired girl and aimed the rifle at her head. “You’ll be the first.”

“Stop!” I yelled at him. “They’re just kids!”

“And I care why? You pathetic creatures deserve the fate you inflict upon your own race. War, pollution, disease. Imagine a world without you. A perfect utopia.” Brute seemed to be delving into something much more than the subject of murdering some innocent high school students.

What is he talking about? A utopia? What he’s doing now makes him no better than what he claims we are!

“I don’t care about your views on human history. I care about the safety of these students! Stop talking in circles!” My voice was demanding and my look stern. Without thinking, I headbutted the guard to my right, grabbing his weapon as he fell. I pointed it at Brute’s head.

“Drop your weapons or I blow your boss’s brains out!” I commanded. The thugs did as they were told. Even Brute dropped his gun. Brute began to laugh and his lackeys followed along.

“Whats so funny? The gun is pointed at your head.” I pressed it harder against the back of his head to further prove my point.

“That may be so, Bullet, but here’s the thing.” He paused as he pulled out a small black detonator with a single, large, red button in the middle. “I’ll blow this school to kingdom come if you don’t escort us to the exit. We got what we came for.”

“Fine.” I simply replied as I led the group of intruders to the front of the school. Reaching the entrance, a black helicopter could be seen and a large hole was now visible where the statue once was.

The group climbed into the chopper as rain pelted down from the sky. I became drenched, my hair wet and flat; my uniform stuck to my skin. Brute climbed in last but not before turning to face me.

“Guess what, Captain.” Brute pressed the button. I covered my ears waiting for a massive explosion to engulf the school, but nothing happened.

The chopper’s propellers began to spin faster and faster as the vehicle lifted off the ground. I pointed the gun up and shot at the chopper. It was no use of course. The shots missed not one impacting the helicopter as it got farther and farther away. It disappeared into the gray clouds and the whirring engine began to sound more distant.

I threw the gun into the crater near my car and ran back into the school. I darted for the gym. Upon entering, I found the students and staff untied and unharmed.

“Sunset! We need to talk, now!”