What we once called home

by Birdo

Rating: teen
Tags: Spike, Cutie Mark Crusaders, Other, Adventure, Main 6, Changelings, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 4315

Equestria is in turmoil after the changeling invade once again, with the help of sombrea what are the mane 6 to do.

It has been 7 years since the fall of Celestia and Equestria. Chrysalis and Sombre with the scourge made up of Changelings, Minotaur, and some griffins. Know as the League of the damned. it is up to our heroes to eradicate the scum once and for all.

Published 2013-12-26 16:30:05 UTC
Last updated 2014-04-30 23:22:50 UTC

Limitless Sky

Author's Note

(DIScLAIMER) There will be a ton of typos. :p also this is my first time writing for it to be seen by others besides school, I’m a noob when it comes to writing so don’t except high grade stuff. Be sure to leave a thumbs up and a comment, feedback would be real nice. :D Anyway here goes enjoy . Also got to give props to my editor Alexander Thrond thnks man

Limitless Sky

Chapter. 1 Limitless Sky

It was like any other day in the land of friendship and harmony. I speak of course of the land of Equestria. A certain orange pegasus with a purple mane flew over a ravine covered in moss.

"Can't believe this is still here," she said.

As she lowered her altitude to land she sighed in relief as she reached some water. "Man, finally some water," she said. She reached up with her hooves to remove the helmet that rested on top of her head. Her mane fell over her shoulders. She bent down to gulp down some refreshing water, and then began to remove the rest of her armor. "Man, this is what i needed." As she lowered her body into the water she closed her eyes, as thoughts of her former life came into perspective.

On the road to Sweet Apple Acres was an eager filly running as fast has her tiny hooves would carry her. Her vision was set to the sky, looking for the drifting cloud out of place. Her eyes fixated on one with a multicolored tail hanging off the side. “There you are,” she thought to herself.

"Hey Rainbow Dash!" said the excited filly as she hopped up and down. A pair of ears shot up as she stretched her body. Sitting on the cloud, she returned the greeting.

"Hiya, squirt," said the cyan pegasus with a multicolored mane. “What bring you out here to finds yours truly?”

"Remember? You said you would show me some more of your awesome moves!"

Dash had a smirk on her face as she replied. “I don't know if you’re ready," she teased as she turned around.

“Ah!! Come on, you promised!" The orange filly cried. Dash laughed as she descended towards the ground, landing near Scootaloo as her wings flared open to reveal their majesty.

“Okay, pay attention, ‘cause I move like lighting!” With that she was sky bound. "Come on!"

They arrived at a nearby ravine. Rainbow dash began to show off with some aerials flips, somersaults, a couple of barrel rolls, and zig-zagged through a couple trees, then went up to the waterfall, making a rainbow in the mist.

"Whoa!!!" cried Scootaloo.

Rainbow dash climbed high above the clouds. “And for my final feat, I will perform...” she began. Scootaloo’s wings fluttered wildly. “Pause for dramatic effect… A sonic rainboom!!”

The orange filly jumped up with excitement “YES!!!” she shouted.

Rainbow Dash nosedived faster and faster, breaching the sound barrier. Scootaloo's eyes widened but, her admiration was short-lived as a black blur collided with Rainbow. Scootaloo's eyes shoot open. Breathing heavily, she sighed.

“Man, I’ve got to get some sleep,” she said.

Ponyville, like most of Equestria, was under the rule of Queen Chrysalis of the Changelings. She had decreed that all living things be enslaved and harvested for their love, and those who opposed were dealt with without mercy. However, there stood a few ready to take up arms in the name of the greater good. As Scootaloo flew over what used to be her home, on the outskirts of Ponyville, a small barn-or what was left of it-stood. It had belonged to her friend Apple Bloom. It was known as Sweet Apple Acres. The orchard, however, stood barren, like most of the land. She landed near the entrance to the farm, hoping to find what little food still thrived.

“Man, I really miss the smell of apples,” she said, with sadness in her voice. She gathered some daises and tulips that seem to grow from the fence. “This will have to do.”

As she turned to face the path to her old Crusader Clubhouse, she could still make out the sounds of Big Mac and Applejack bucking apples in her mind.

"I wonder if..."

She began to trek the familiar trail. Scootaloo pushed bushes and debris from the path. In the distance, she made out her clubhouse from long ago.

“Whoa, can’t believe this is still here!" Making her ascension toward the front door, she felt excited and scared at the same time. She slowly placed her hoof on the door to push it, and it creaked as it let in light to reveal a dusty room. The clubhouse had sustained minor damage. A cracked board or two, and the roof leaked when it rained.

“I don't remember it being this small,” she said. She laughed. She walked over to the desk where they made their plans on obtaining their cutie marks, her mind seem to drift again ...

“Rainbow Dash!” cried Scootaloo as the young filly ascended the waterfall. She grabbed vines in each hoof so she didn’t fall to her demise. She had heard the impact of the crash and went to investigate what had happened. When she reached the top, she pulled herself up to see a clearing of falling trees and earth. She rushed over to the crater that had formed due to the impact of great power. “Rainbow!” she yelled. There was no response. She fell to the ground, her hooves covering her face as she sobbed. Loud thuds shook the earth. Scootaloo snapped back to reality and examined her surroundings. A wave of air pushed her on her back, and she saw a cyan blur collide with a black one. The impact of speed and power caused shock waves could be heard and felt throughout the land. They stopped for a few seconds to reveal Rainbow and what seemed to be a Changeling.

“That all you got?” Rainbow mocked, wiping her brow of sweat and blood. The changeling hissed, but this one was different from the ones in Canterlot. His physique was that of a large stallion, and his bat like wings span was much greater than the Alicorn sisters. Instead of hooves he had claws which gleaned in the sunlight. "HA nice manicure, wuss," mocked Rainbow. He glared and batted his wings.

“You will die by my hands, pony,” he roared, but his attention was fixed on Scootaloo. “Ah, but first a snack.” He dove towards a frightened filly.

“Hey, creep, your fight is with me!” Rainbow shouted. She put all she had into her wings as she descended, again breaking the sound barrier. She crashed into the changeling down below the ravine. There was no sound except of that of rocks tumbling off the side. Scootaloo looked over the edge of the cliff, but could not see through the dirt cloud.

"Rainbow!" she shouted. As the smoked cleared, there stood the Changeling on top on Rainbow’s limp body. Her wing had been broken and some of her ribs, he stood over her laughing.

“It will be a bright day when a mere pony beats Murdoc, lord of the damned. Now watch as I destroy everything you hold dear,” he said. He stomped on Rainbow’s ribs again. She let out a blood cry that caused her hair to stand on end. He flew up, ascending to Scootaloo’s eye level. “You'll be next, my darling,” he said, laughing. Her eyes already filled with fear and tears, she winced. He flew up high and said, “This is my sonic death-boom.” He nosedived towards his prey.

Scootaloo looked in horror at her idol, friend, and sister who was about to be killed. She let out a cry as she hurled herself off the cliff as her wings began to flap as hard as she could. She felt gravity take its toll. She had always practiced in private, but now it was a matter of life and death. She focused as her muscles tightened and her wings began to flutter wildly. She felt less heavy as she zoomed to rescue Rainbow.

“YES! I did it!” she exclaimed. Murdoc was already half way down when the sound barrier broke, leaving behind green and black flames trailing him. At that very instant he saw an orange blur zoom by. He collided with the ground as a cloud of black and green smoke arose, leaving behind a crater the size of a lake. Murdoc stood, only to see nopony.

"Run as far as you can, I will hunt you down to the ends of the earth, you pathetic little pony,” he roared.

Reality seemed to come back as she sat the picture down, and sighed.

“But, if it wasn't for that creep i would have never gotten my cutie mark.” Her cutie mark resembled the sign of speed. She wanted to be like her big sister-brave, noble, and fearless. In her adolescence, she grew into an athletic mare slightly taller than most, with wings that would rival that of an eagle. Scootaloo slammed her hoof down, nearly breaking the floor board in frustration.

“Damn that Chrysalis! She will pay for what did to me and my friends.” As she began making her way, she had a feeling of dread and terror. She stopped as the roof caved in to reveal a Changeling. He let out an ear-piercing screech that shattered the windows. Scootaloo held her ears as it shrieked. Scootaloo had enough. She dashed for the changeling full force.

"Shut up!" she exclaimed. She slammed it against the wall, causing it to crumble down on the Changeling. However, the thunderous crackle of bloodlust could be heard approaching the clubhouse. “OH FUCK!” Scootaloo shouted.

It wasn't long before the thud of hooves was heard on top the house. They began entering like spiders, crawling everywhere, hissing and laughing.

“You’re going to die,” one of them said. They laughed. A grin formed on Scootaloo’s face as her wings flared open.

“Four against me seem hardly fair… to you guys,” she said. With that, she zoomed past all the Changelings into the vast sky. “Come and get some!” she mocked. A swarm of Changeling proceeded to charge Scootaloo, ramming into her. She resisted them.

“Ha, and to think we used to fear you,” she said. She raised her hoof up and with all her might struck them down in till one was left. She used it to elevate herself higher.

“Oh yeah, I'm WAY cooler then you fools.” The remanding forces rushed her. Scootaloo back somersaulted and began to nosedive, her hoof in front of her face she began to feel the pressure begin to break. "Come on wings, don't fail me now." A lighting aura started to crackle around her as she dove faster and faster toward the scum, but then she realized that it was too late. She smacked into the horde, bringing them all towards the clubhouse.

"FUCK!" Scootaloo exclaimed. They crashed, causing the clubhouse to crumble sideways.

Scootaloo emerged unharmed. “Man I’ve got to thank ‘Bloom when I return. This armor really does the trick.” She flew up, brushing off debris. “Better make my way bac-” Suddenly, another swarm surrounded her. Two took possession of each wing to keep her from escaping. “Get the hell off me, you creeps!" she shouted. They laughed. “Can’t wait to see what you taste like,” said one of the changelings. They proceeded with the seismic toss. “Damn it, if only I could use my wings,” Scootaloo mumbled. They dove towards the earth. "I'm sorry, sister, I've failed you." A single tear escaped her eye as imminent doom was approaching. As she closed her eyes, a bright light shone.

Changeling, Dragon, Adored

Chapter 2: Changeling Dragon adored

As the horde of changelings proceeded to dive bomb, a cloaked figure stood over Scootaloo. She seemed to have lost conscious from her final minute. A white horn appeared from under the figure’s hood. The horn became enveloped in pink aura as it surrounded the changelings. This magic seemed to intensify as it began to pry the changelings from the incoherent pegasus and fling them in all directions. The figure took hold of Scootaloo, lowering her to the ground, and then removed her hood to expose a purple curly mane.

“Scootaloo? Scootaloo? Answer me!” Scootaloo swore she heard a familiar voice as she groggily opened her eyes.

“Sweet… Sweetie Belle? Wha-what are you doing in heaven?”

The white unicorn proceeded to nuzzle her friend warmly. “You’re not dead! I saved you!”

Scootaloo regained her poise.

“Whoa I owe you one! I’m lucky you were here when you were! Say, why were you here?”

“Well, a certain pegasus likes to stay out longer then she’s supposed to and make her friends worry,” Sweetie said. She looked toward her friend who was sheepishly smiling.

“Heh, I feel asleep.”

“Seems your acrobatics isn’t the only thing you picked up from Rainbow,” she said, looking at her friend, who had a light red blush on her cheeks.

“Heh, yeah.” They both shared a laugh as they made their way towards the camp.

The two friends made their way back to the sanctuary. Some refugees had established it on the border of the everfree forest. It served as their new home, protected by magic to ward off enemies. As they neared the first post, the guard saluted. The two moved to the center of refuge.

“That must have been a new spell!” gushed Scootaloo.

“Well, not really new. I’ve been practicing,” Sweetie Belle replied

“Still can’t believe you took care of those creeps and sent them packing! That was so awesome!” She hovered in her excitement.

“It was sort of cool, wasn’t it?” she replied sheepishly.

Sweetie had grown to possess a beauty that surpassed even that of her sister, but in a time of war beauty is useless. She wore a brown cloak that concealed her mane and awesome coat. Her mane was much curlier then Rarity’s. Her cutie mark had been that of a heart surrounded by a circle, symbolizing that she was gifted in healing and care of others. She cared for all living thing and was more gifted then most unicorns her age. It was on one fateful day she knew her destiny.

“Rarity, when can I help you? I’ve been standing here forever!” Sweetie complained.

“Sweetie Belle, please, I’m trying to create.” Rarity raised her hoof. Her eyes were closed. “Besides, it’s such a beautiful day out. Why not go and see what your friends are up too?”

“Ugh! You never listen to me! Scootaloo’s hanging out with Rainbow Dash, and Apple Bloom is helping out with apple buck season! Besides, I wanna help out my sister.” Sweetie’s lower lip quivered as she adopted puppy dog eyes. “PLEASE!”

Rarity recalled that all the other times Sweetie wanted to “help”, things only ended in disaster. However, she knew her sister had good intentions. Rarity’s eyes darted to and fro trying to find a simple yet significant task for her little sister.

“Um, you could…” She sighted her laundry. That wouldn’t do. Her eyes met the kitchen, but vision of burnt toast soup caused her to recoil. She finally decided on her organization room.

“Oooo! I know! You could help me reorganize my inspiration room!”

The little unicorn’s eyes widened as her face stretched in a smile from ear to ear.

“Oh, thank you sis! I won’t let you down, I promise,” she exclaimed, with a hoof to her head and a serious look on her face. Rarity could help but giggle. Sweetie ran up the stairs of the boutique to begin her task.

“Now I must create!”

Sweetie moved through the room at breakneck speed, organizing fabric and sewing material.

“Sis is going to be so proud. I didn’t even mess up anything,” Sweetie thought to herself. She was filled with glee as she continued with the deed.

Rarity sat at her sewing table, making another glorious dress. “Perfect, absolutely perfect!” she said to herself. She couldn’t help but let out a cry of joy, as she was glad she found something for her sister to do. Rarity knows that sisterhood is like an apple pie: you need both delicious apples and a crispy crust. She allowed herself a laugh before returning to work. Minutes passed as rarity finished her work for today.

“Ah, right on time! Sweetie must still be working. She’s such a gem. I know, I’ll make her favorite hazel nut soup! It will be perfect!” She walked quickly to the entrance to her boutique to close shop. As she began to lower the blinds and start to flip the sign, the door came open to reveal two young colts with black coats and identical manes.

“Oh, sorry gentlecolts, I’m closing shop early. Come back tomorrow!” she said.

“Oh, come on. We just want to look,” one said with a mischievous laugh.

Rarity didn’t seem to notice his laugh. She sighed and said, “Fine. I have something to attend to in the kitchen.”

“That’s fine. That’s all the time we need,” the other said with a smirk.

“Just holler if you need me,” Rarity said. With that she disappeared into the kitchen.

“Finally done! Sis is going to be so proud! I’m a great organizer! I didn’t even mess up!” Sweetie Belle said to herself. “Ooh, I probably already got my cutie mark!” She span around in a 360 motion but to no avail. She sat down and started to pout but immediately got up as she heard her sister call her name.

“Sweetie, come down here please,” said rarity

Sweetie obliged. “Hope I’m not in trouble…” she mumbled to herself.

Rarity proceeded to make the table as the soup was finishing up. She made her way into the main floor of the boutique. “Alright, gentlecolts, I must ask you to…” She was surprised to not find anypony there. “That’s odd. I didn’t even hear the front door... oof!” She fell on the ground as one of the colts was on top of her back.

“Unhand me this instant, you ruffians!” demanded Rarity. The colt just smirked as the other appeared from behind a mannequin. “I have a mind to tell your mother what you are doing.” The colts both laughed

“She’s the one that told us to do this,” said one.

“Plus, it’s just too much fun,” said the other.

“What kind of parenting is that!?” said Rarity, still being restrained.

“Ha-ha, we’ll show you.”

As a light suddenly flashed, Rarity shut her eyes. She opened them to reveal two changelings. They spoke no more, only hissed and cackled. Rarity’s eyes widened.

“Oh dear,” she said.

Sweetie emerged from upstairs, still contemplating what it was she did wrong. “I thought I let Opal out… No, maybe it was the dress I helped her make.” Her concentration was broken by muffed screams. She hid behind a stack of fabric. “What’s going on?”

The changeling on Rarity’s back held her down for her not to scream as the other opened his mouth to absorb something. A stream of pink energy was being depleted from Rarity as the changeling devoured it.

“Unicorn taste good,” laughed one of the changelings.

“Me next me next!” said the other.

Rarity became weaker as she raised her head. “Yo-you monsters,” she said.

They bellowed and howled loudly.

Sweetie Belle watched in horror as her life force was being depleted from her body. “Those meanies! I’ll save you, Rarity!” she stated. She hopped up from behind the fabric. “Leave my sister alone!” she called out. The two changelings ceased their laughter only to grin again.

“Look, a snack!” one said.

“Me, me! You already have big one,” the other said.

“Fine.”

As the changeling released Rarity, she laid there motionless. He flew full force at Sweetie. “Come here, pretty pony.”

“Oh crud!” She ran toward the other side of the boutique, moving through the mannequins. He was right on her tail. She hopped over a desk, hoping he would crash, but she had no such luck. She sat behind the desk, panting. She raised her head, only to be picked up from behind.

“Ooh hoo hoo, I’ll enjoy this,” the changeling said.

Sweetie tried to release herself from her captor. “Let go of me! Rarity!” she called out.

The other changeling beside Rarity held her head to the direction of Sweetie Belle.

“You going to want to see this,” he laughed. Rarity was weak from the previous activity.

“Swee… Sweetie Belle...” She rose her hoof towards her little sister.

“SIS!!!” cried Sweetie, tears now rolling off her cheek. “Leave her alone, you bullies!”

The changeling beside Rarity laughed. “Now for the main course.” He dung his fangs into Rarity’s neck.

Unseen by the changelings, Sweetie’s horn started to glow. A pink aura enveloped her horn.

“I said leave my sister alone!”

A bright light flashed as though Celestia’s sun was in the room. The two changelings flinched, releasing their grip on the two sisters. Released from her captor, Sweetie ran to her sister’s side. As Rarity lay there motionless, Sweetie cried once more. “Rarity, wake up! Please don’t leave me!” Tears were in Sweetie’s eye, and her horn, still glowing a light pink, was growing dimmer. The boutique was in silence as the young filly sat next to her sister, sobbing.

“Rarity, please wake up. I promise I won’t take any more cookies without asking. I’ll even eat that vegetable that looks like tiny trees. Please say something!”

The door to the boutique opened to reveal a small creature with purple scales and green frills. It was the baby dragon known as Spike, Twilight Sparkle’s number-one assistant. Observing his surroundings, Spike saw clutter everywhere.

“This must be the organized chaos times ten,” he thought.

“Rarity! I finished my chores for today, and Twilight came me the rest of the afternoon off, so I thought I wou-” He stopped to hear sobbing. He turned his head toward Sweetie, who was lying next to Rarity. “Rarity!” he shouted. Spike ran towards the two.

“Spike, help! My sister won’t move,” she sniffed

Time seemed to stop for the baby dragon. “My love… no… what happened?”

Sweetie wiped her eyes from the tears. “We were attacked by those… things. She pointed her hoof at the two changelings regaining their composure.

Smoke emitting from the dragon’s nostrils, teeth grtted and fist clenched, he roared. “I’ll make you pay, you bastards!”

The two figures arose from the clutter they had made, shaking fabric and sewing material off their bodies. They hissed and hovered over to the dragon.

“You two have to answer to me now!” Spike’s eyes flared with emerald fire as he charged headfirst into one of the changelings, taking him to the other side of the boutique. He crashed into a mirror, causing shards of the mirror to come falling down on the two. Spike’s scales prevented any penetration, but the changeling howled in agony. Sweetie was still tending to her unconscious sister. Her horn, still a dim color, radiated an aura towards Rarity.

“Come on sis, you’re stronger then this. I know you are.” She stood from her position as she watched spike take the changeling by the throat. He gripped harder as his claws sunk in. “Spike!” screamed Sweetie. His spines rose and he started radiating heat. His voice was much deeper as he spoke.

“I’m going to send this fool to the gates of Tartaus, then I’ll send that other weakling shortly.” He smiled to reveal a sinister grin with pearly white fangs.

“Stop that! You’ll kill him!” yelled sweetie. It was becoming ever so hard for the changeling to breathe. His limbs and wings flared wildly, as his companion stood petrified. Spike’s grip tightened.

“This worthless pile of shit doesn’t deserve mercy!”

“”No!” Why should your life have more meaning then his!” she declared with her hoof to the ground. Her horn seem to glow once more, brighter than before. Spike growled loudly as he held his prey.

“They hurt your sister; my love. I can’t stand by idly while he still walks this earth. This I swear by my dragon code.”

“You’re just being an even bigger bully then they were! I’m tired of seeing everyone fight and hurt each other. It breaks my heart to see our home of love and harmony tainted by hatred and despair. Why can’t we all get along?” Her horn now released a pink light towards Spike and the changelings. Spike roared as it consumed his body. He lifted his grip on the changeling, who fell to the ground. Spike changed back to his baby dragon form, and gasped for air. The changeling flew out of the shop, crashing into multiple objects. His companion followed after. Spike fell to his knees, regaining his composure.

“Wha... What happened was I dreaming?” he said.

Sweetie fell unconscious. Spike ran over to the two sisters. He noticed that Rarity was breathing again. “Ah you’re alright,” he said. He sighed in relief. He then went over to Sweetie and shook her gently. “Sweetie Belle, can you hear me?” She moaned as she opened her eyes.

“Ngh… Spike?” She sat up, rubbing her head. “I think those were changelings, like at Cadance and Shining Armor’s wedding. I wonder what they were doing here.”

“Yeah me too, but first thing’s first. We need to get Rarity some help. Let’s take her to Twilight, she’ll know what to do.” He put Rarity’s forelegs on his back as he motioned to Sweetie for assistance. As they positioned themselves, they nodded at each other. Spike’s claw met the door, and it opened to reveal an amber colored earth pony with her trademark Stetson hat.

“Not yall too,” she said.