Canterlot Castle, The Following Morning

Dusk slammed his empty flask down on the dining hall table and groaned. “Guess they don’t make scotch like they used to.” He mumbled.

Halsey was opposite of Dusk, going over some documents that had been recovered from the Enclave compound. “Spartans tend to have a much higher resistance to alcohol.”

Dusk threw his hands up in defeat before slamming his head down on the table. “That’s just fucking great Catherine.”

“Would you rather me lie?”

“I’d rather be drunk!” yelled Dusk as he sat up.

Halsey looked up from her papers and cocked an eyebrow at the distressed unicorn. “I figured you’d welcome the occasional miracle.”

“Maybe if I didn’t watch my entire family get slaughtered I would.”

“You keep saying that, but expect someone to know what happened.” Pointed out the Doctor.

“They got killed by Changelings. What else is there to say?” questioned Dusk.

“There’s more than that old excuse.” Snapped Halsey. “Dusk I consider you a friend, and I generally avoid developing connections with others. So I can’t help you if I don’t know what’s bothering you.”

“He’s just too stubborn to even ask.” Said a red unicorn as he took a seat next to Dusk. “You must be Doctor Halsey. I’m Sonar.”

Halsey nodded. “Ah, Dusk’s father.”

Dusk slid out of his seat and stormed out of the room.

“Or he might just be pissed.” Said the stallion as he shook his head.

“I get the impression that you aren’t helping much.” Stated Halsey.

“You’re probably right.” Sonar picked up Dusk’s empty flask and turned it over in his hands. “Does he normally go for the hard stuff?”

“From what I know, he does. Although his augmentations tend to make him highly resistant to alcohol.”

“How high is highly resistant?”

Halsey shrugged. “High enough where he’d need a significant amount of pure alcohol to begin feeling the effects.”

Sonar sighed and buried his face in his hands. “We did that, didn’t we?”

“You probably did.” Halsey paused for a moment. “Dusk said he watched his family die, yet here you are. What happened?”

“That’s a story in its own.” Said Sonar as he straightened himself out. “It started after me and Rose came back from a trip to the northern tundra. Dad wanted us to try and find the Crystal Empire, thought there might be some equipment worth salvaging. We were on the train back when someone came into our compartment and stunned us both.”

“You were stunned?” asked Halsey.

“And taken captive.”

“I get a feeling that I know where this is going.” Said Halsey.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Location Unknown, Ten Years Ago

Sonar stirred at some sort of far off sound, almost like a muffled scream. He tried to turn over, but felt like he was tied up. Attempts to open his eyes didn’t work either. He began to struggle in a moment of panic before he felt somepony grab him and haul him onto the ground.

“You OK Sonar?” asked a male voice.

Sonar managed to open his eyes, staring up at his father-in-law. “Dad, what the hell’s going on?”

Meteor walked over to a pod on the opposite wall, hauling Rosemary out and placing her limp form on the ground. “Changlings grabbed you two on the way back from the tundra.”

“So the porter… Shit.” Sonar scrambled to his feet. “So what’s the plan?”

Meteor sighed as he turned to Sonar. “There is no plan. We’re just getting the hell out of here.” He had a saddened look in his eyes, averting his gaze from Sonar. “The Changlings grabbed me about a month ago… And their agents took the squad on a mission to take out an assault force they were assembling on the border near Appaloosa.”

The color faded from Sonar’s face. “Dad, what happened?”

Meteor turned to Sonar, eyes shiny with tears. “They’re all dead.”

“All of them?” questioned Sonar. “Dad, please tell me-”

“I’m sorry Sonar, but unless we get some sort of miracle, Dusk’s gone.”

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Canterlot Castle, Present Day

“There must be more to it than that.” Said Halsey.

“There is.” Assured Sonar. “I just want to make sure Dusk doesn’t get it second-hand. I owe him that much.”

Halsey nodded. “Were you and your wife close to Dusk?”

“I’d like to think so. We were there when dad was training him, we patched him up when he got hurt. It’s all stuff a parent should be doing.”

Halsey nodded again before she started picking up her papers. “Well it was good talking to you Sonar, but I must be going.”

Sonar nodded at the Doctor as she rose and walked out of the dining hall with her papers.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Halsey was looking over some papers as she was walking down the castle hallway when someone grabbed her shoulder.

“Doc, we got a problem.”

Halsey turned around to find Captain Baxter standing behind her. “What kind of problem?”

“Palmer and DeMarco are missing.” He said. “They stayed the night last night in Ponyville, and went on a hike into the Everfree this morning.”

“And how does that affect me?” questioned Halsey. “Better yet, how long were they gone?”

“Doctor, it’s not that they’ve been gone a significant amount of time. It’s what we found that has us worried.”

Halsey followed Baxter down the hall of the castle at a brisk pace. “And what was found?”

Baxter handed his tablet back to the Doctor. “Their blood for one. Some other hikers found two separate pools of blood in the area. Tremble took Hammer Squad in to investigate, and the DNA samples match.”

“Commander, I’m a scientist, not a forensic analyst.”

“Go to the next page.”

Halsey flipped forward in the document, skimming it over. “Slipspace radiation?”

“That what Tremble said they were picking up, but we want a second opinion.” Said Baxter. “Once your arm is fitted, I need you out there.”

“Last I checked, I wasn’t due to get my prosthetic for another week.”

“And I managed to pull a few strings.” Said Baxter as he led Halsey into the infirmary. “Should take all of a half hour to get everything squared away.”

“And how would you know that?” questioned Halsey.

A door opened off to the side, and a nurse poked her head out into the corridor. “Doctor Halsey, we’re ready for you.”

“Told you.” Said Baxter with a smirk. “Meet me in the castle garden when you’re done.”

_____________________________________________________________________________________

One Hour Later

Halsey strode out into the garden, clutching her new arm as she looked around.

“Doctor, glad you could make it.” Said Baxter as he approached from one of the side doors, a tactical vest in his hand. “You might need this by the way.”

Halsey took the vest, looking at Baxter with a quizzical look. “Do you expect me to get caught in a firefight?”

“No, I don’t. That just made it easier for me to carry all of your equipment.”

Halsey shrugged, taking off her jacket and passing it to Baxter before swinging the vest on. “When do I leave?”

A Pelican flew over and touched down a few feet away from the two. “Right now.” Said Baxter.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

The Everfree, Castle of the Twin Sisters

“Alright, does anyone have anything new to contribute?” asked Tremble. His assembled operators all exchanged glances. “Really? Nothing to explain the puddles of blood?”

“Commander, with all due respect we haven’t found anything.” Stated one of the soldiers.

“Bunch of amateurs!” yelled Tremble. He sat down on one of the large rocks and took off his helmet. Over the previous years, he had grown his hair out and developed a decent beard. “How hard is it-”

“Sir, I found something.” Said the same soldier. “Turn around.”

Tremble turned around, when a glint of red caught his eye. Looking down, he found two sizeable rocks, both coated in a shiny layer of blood. “Check those for DNA.” He ordered.

The squad medic pulled out his equipment and began taking samples, while a Pelican flew in overhead and landed in the clearing near the castle. “It’s their blood Commander.”

“Good work Jones.” Complimented the Commander. “Now if you excuse me, our slipspace expert is here.”

Halsey was carrying a sizable case off the Pelican with her, which Tremble promptly took from the Doctor. “Thank you Commander.”

“My pleasure Doc.” Tremble placed the case down on the ground near the rocks. “I take it Baxter brought you up to speed?”

“He did.” Said Halsey as she knelt down and opened the case. “Did you find anything else of note?”

“We found the rocks that Palmer and DeMarco got hit with.” Said one of the Equestrian soldiers. “Blood on them matched.”

“And how did you detect the slipspace radiation?”

“Jones, get over here!” yelled Tremble.

The medic approached the scientist and the officer and stood at attention. “Sir.”

“Jones, what the hell did I tell you about acting like a stuck-up prick?” asked Tremble. “Now, tell Halsey how you found the radiation.”

Jones sat down next to Halsey, pulling out a tacpad. “When I was testing the original blood samples we found, the Geiger counter on my pad started clicking. I thought it might be broken-”

“But when you looked at the reason behind the ping, you found it wasn’t conventional radiation?” asked Halsey. The medic nodded, and Halsey turned back to the equipment in the case. “Fascinating… These signatures almost remind me of the portal grid on Requiem.”

“Portal grid?” asked Tremble.

“Requiem was a Forerunner shield world we encountered roughly a year ago. To get around the interior of the planet, the Forerunners built a network of slipspace portals to enable instantaneous transport to any point in the network.”

“And you think someone used something similar here?” asked Tremble.

“Indeed I do. If I can use Infinity’s sensors, we should be able to pinpoint where this portal led to.”

“Well, that’s a problem. Infinity left for Mars last night.”

Halsey closed the case and looked over at the Commander. “Then my work here is done. I’ll take this data back to Canterlot for further analysis.”

Tremble waved his man towards the Pelican, and grabbed Halsey’s equipment. “Do you have a plan Doc?”

Halsey chuckled as she walked into the troop bay of the Pelican “Commander, there’s one thing you need to remember.” Halsey sat down and looked up at the soldier. “I always have a plan.”

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Canterlot Castle

“So what do you think the Princess can do again?” asked Tremble.

“I already told you Commander.” Droned Halsey. “The Princess has access to equipment that I have a need for, and I need her permission to use it.”

“But what equipment?”

“Doctor Halsey, the Princess will see you now.” Reported one of the Guards.

Halsey was ushered into the throne room before the door shut behind her. “Doctor, what can I do for you today?” asked Celestia, still sitting on her throne.

Halsey looked around, finding only the Princess’ personal guard. “I take it you’re aware that Commander Palmer and Spartan DeMarco have gone missing.”

“Indeed, and I take it you require something to further the search?”

“I require access to the Nexus.” Stated the Doctor.

“Come again?” questioned Celestia.

“The Nexus, I need it. Someone used a portal to remove Palmer and DeMarco from the Everfree, and I have no other method of tracking them.”

Celestia rose from her throne and walked down to the Doctor. “Come with me Catherine.” The pair left the throne room from a side door, walking at a brisk pace. “How long have they been missing?”

“At least three hours, give or take.” Halsey followed the Princess as she led her down the side passage towards the Nexus.

The door to the Nexus slid open, and the pair filed in. “And they were taken from the old castle, correct?”

“Yes, Hammer Squad found their blood on the scene.”

Celestia lit her horn, and a map of Equestria formed in the air. “Of course… Give me a moment.” The map began to spin slowly, before it zoomed in and highlighted an urban location. “Looks like Sarah and Paul are in Vanhoover.”

“It looks like some sort of market district.” Commented Halsey.

Celestia cocked an eyebrow at the Doctor. “You don’t get out much, do you?”

“No, I don’t. Care to enlighten me?”

Celestia chuckled. “Catherine, that’s a night club.”

Halsey rolled her eyes. “Then how do you propose we get rescue Palmer and DeMarco?”

“With tact, poise and…” Celestia stopped yet again. “Forget about it, I know a stallion.”

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Twenty Minutes Later, Celestia’s Study

“So, this mercenary, he knows the city?” asked Halsey.

Celestia nodded. “Cosmo has been operating out of the city for the last five years.”

“But we have another issue.” Noted Halsey. “He doesn’t know anything about Palmer.”

“And he’d stick out like a sore thumb in a nightclub. Inevitably, I covered that as well.”

A knock came from the door and it swung open, Cloud Runner stepping in first, followed by a black unicorn with a light brown mane. “You asked to see us?” asked Cloud.

“Yes, I did.” Celestia motioned to two chairs opposite her and Halsey. As the two sat down, the Princess leaned forward. “Cosmo, I’ve got another job for you.”

“What’s the payment?” asked the black unicorn.

“Well Cosmo, I hear through the grapevine that you might be a bit low on medical supplies. Something about ‘the Ranger’ getting his ass kicked in a mosh pit?”

Cosmo sighed. “Heard about that, did ya?”

“It was a bit hard to miss the unusually large number of low-lifes that were brought to Vanhoover General.” Stated the Princess. “All of them were muttering something about this Ranger fellow…”

“Alright, I get it. Vigilantes shouldn’t try to break up an illegal fight club that funds drug kingpins.” Droned Cosmo. “Now, what’s the job?”

Halsey passed her tacpad to Cosmo, allowing him to look over the pictures of the two missing Spartans. “Earlier this morning, Commander Sarah Palmer and Spartan Paul DeMarco were kidnapped by an unknown party. From what we’ve been able to gather, they’ve been taken to a nightclub in Vanhoover. You’ll see it on the next page.”

Cosmo slid over to the next page in the document. “Ah, the Valdur. I’m familiar with the place.” He passed the tacpad to Cloud, allowing him to flip through the document. “Stallion named Stalemate runs the joint. He’s used it as a front for years to cover up his weapons and drug smuggling. Can’t say I’ve ever been inside though.”

“So, Palmer and DeMarco were taken prisoner and then got taken to a nightclub?” asked Cloud.

“Stalemate runs his operations out of that building.” Pointed out Cosmo. “Odds are good he’s keeping at least one of them there.”

“Alright, any other questions?” asked Celestia.

“I’d like to know why I was asked to come.” Said Cloud.

Halsey chuckled. “Cloud, it’s simple. You’re the wingcolt.”

_____________________________________________________________________________________

The Valdur Nightclub, Vanhoover

Cloud looked around at the crowd waiting to enter the Valdur. It was a vast array of species, ranging from ponies to gryphons, with a few changelings spritzed in for good measure. “Cosmo, you mind trading roles here? I'm not feeling this whole wingcolt thing.”

“Just relax. Everything will be fine.” Assured Cosmo. “When we get in there, head for the bar and order a drink. I’ll take a look around, see if I can find anything.”

Cloud sighed as the duo walked into the club. His ears were assaulted with the steady beat of speakers as he made for the bar.

“What’ll you have?” asked the bartender as Cloud sat down.

“Nothing at the moment.”

“You sure?” asked the bartender. “The lady over there said it’s on her.”

Cloud looked over at the silver mare at the other end of the bar. She was wearing normal club wear, a silver and red top, black slacks with her brown mane done up in a ponytail.

“Just get me a martini.” Said Cloud. On impulse, he slid down to the mare. “I didn’t think I’d be popular already.”

The mare sighed. “Well, it got your attention.”

Cloud cocked an eyebrow. The mare almost sounded familiar. “Do I know you?”

“Just try to act casual.” Said the mare as the bartender slid two martinis down to the pair.

Cloud stopped to think for a moment, before he had a realization. “Palmer?”

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Cosmo watched Cloud from the edge of the room and sighed. “Damn kid can’t keep it in his pants.”

As he walked around the room, he noticed two guards watching a hallway into the back of the building. They appeared distracted by their conversation, so Cosmo took to opportunity to slip behind them and quietly strode down the hall.

Rounding the corner at the end, he found two sets of doors. “Alright, time to go to work.” Cosmo cast a quick spell, changing his attire for his old set of ranger armor. Sliding up to the first door, he pulled a silenced .22 out of his holster before swinging the door open. The room was empty, save a chair in the center of the room. He walked up to it, examining the headrest after he saw a dry, caked material. “Blood…”

“To bad it isn’t yours.” Said a male voice from the corner of the room. Cosmo swung around to face the voice, aiming his .22 at the source. From the shadows, a white-haired changeling approached. “Now, what business does the Ranger himself have in my humble abode?”

“Nothing of your concern.” Snapped Cosmo.

“You’re here for the humans, aren’t you?” The changeling teleported, reappearing behind Cosmo. “You won’t find them.”

Cosmo went to turn when the changeling kicked the back of his knee, staggering him before he blasted him in the chest with a bolt of magic. The stallion stumbled back, colliding with the wall. “That the best you got?” he taunted.

The changeling rushed Cosmo, moving to strike him in the middle of his helmet. Cosmo dove to the side, while the changeling punched a hole through the sheetrock. “You’ll pay-”

POP

POP

POP

Cosmo looked up at the bleeding changeling, before he swung his leg and knocked the parasite to the ground. He quickly stood, approaching the changeling with his pistol ready. The changeling didn’t move as he tapped it with his boot. He shrugged and leveled his pistol once more.

POP

As blood began to pool on the floor from the hole in the back of the changeling’s head, Cosmo snuck back out of the room and went to the second door, kicking it off its hinges and rushing into a group of stallions in the middle of a card game. “Who the hell are you?” asked one.

Under his helmet, Cosmo smirked while his horn began to glow. “I’m the Ranger.” He released the built up magic, knocking the three stallions into the wall on the far side of the room.

“Not bad.” Groaned a voice from the opposite wall. Cosmo turned, finding a battered DeMarco propped up against a trash can.

Cosmo scrambled over to the Spartan, shining a light in his eyes. “You feeling alright?”

“I’d feel better if I didn’t have a light in my face.”

Cosmo shut off his light and returned it to his jacket. “Can you walk?”

DeMarco climbed to his feet. “Shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Good, follow me.” Cosmo led the Spartan into the hall, leading him further into the building until he found a stairwell with a skylight. “Bingo.” Cosmo ran up the stairs, DeMarco on his heels as they ran to the top.

“And how do you plan on getting up there?”

Cosmo pulled back his sleeve, revealing a bracer with what looked like a hook on the end of it. He aimed it at the skylight, and a line shot out through the glass and grabbed onto the roof. He grabbed DeMarco’s wrist, and was pulled upward, getting thrown up once he reached the end of the line.

DeMarco rolled onto the room, scrambling to his feet. “Never mind, question answered.”

“Good.” Said Cosmo as he gathered his bearings. “Shit, Cloud’s still in there!”

“Did he follow you?” asked DeMarco.

“No, he’s at the bar… On second thought, I think he’ll be fine.”

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Palmer put down her glass and nudged Cloud. “Let’s get out of here.”

Cloud nodded and rose to leave, passing some coins to the bartender to cover the drinks. As he went for the front door, Palmer motioned him off to the side and led him to a spare exit.

Once outside, Palmer grabbed Cloud and dragged him down the street. “We’re being followed.”

“Isn’t that great?” he asked sarcastically.

As the two rounded a corner at the end of the street, Palmer pushed Cloud up against the building and got in close. “Just follow my lead.” She leaned in, kissing Cloud.

Cloud sighed, wrapping his arms around Palmer’s midsection as he leaned into the kiss.

“Well, I guess I know why you two walked out.”

Cloud broke free from Palmer, looking over at the bouncer. “Uh… It’s exactly what it looks like?”

“Then… Wait, what?”

“He said it’s exactly what it looks like.” Groaned Palmer.

The bouncer shrugged and walked back to his post at the club door.

“Really didn’t think that would work.” Muttered Cloud as he led Palmer down the street.

“In all honesty, I wasn’t expecting…”

“What? Didn’t expect a stallion to be a good kisser?” Snarked Cloud. “Just hold the applause until we get back to Cosmo’s loft.”

“And why the hell would I do that?” asked Palmer angrily.

Cloud shrugged. “Because I want a witness.”

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Vanhoover Harbor, Cosmo’s Loft

“So, wanna bet on where Cloud wound up?” asked Cosmo as he jumped onto the roof over his loft.

“Well, from what you were describing…” DeMarco stopped to think. “Chances are he’s getting laid.”

“Which is another reason I’m pissed.” Stated Cosmo. “We were there to find you and Palmer, and he goes off like some hormonal teenager.” Cosmo opened the skylight on the roof, ushering DeMarco to drop down into the loft. “And another thing, where did Palmer go?”

“I’m right here.”

Cosmo and DeMarco turned to the couch on the opposite side of the room, finding Cloud and the mare from earlier sitting there and watching the two. “Well, I guess I know why there was a changeling on duty…”

“Black, almost scaly-looking bastard?” asked the mare. “Ya, really not a fan of his work.” She said as she held her arms out.

“Uh, why does she sound like the Commander?” asked DeMarco.

“Because that’s Palmer.” Said Cloud.

“Fascinating…” muttered Cosmo as he walked up to Palmer. “That changeling found a way to develop a shape-shifting spell similar to their own natural abilities, and successfully used it on another species.”

“I can attest that it wasn’t painless either.” Added Palmer. “Maybe we could label it as a new form of torture?”

“Then fill in some blanks Commander.” Asked DeMarco. “What happened?”

Palmer’s ears drooped and she slouched back into the couch. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

DeMarco and Cosmo exchanged worried glances for a brief moment, before turning their attention back to Palmer. “I’ve never thought of you as the silent type Commander.”

“You learn something new every day DeMarco.” Sighed Palmer. “Look, I really could use some sleep.”

“I’ve got a guest room down the hall, last door on the right.”

“Thanks.”

As Palmer got up and walked down the hall, Cloud looked up at Cosmo. “There was a Changeling there?”

“It’s dead now.”

Cloud buried his face in his hands. “Then how the hell do you plan on getting Sarah back to normal?”

“I wasn’t planning on it.” Stated Cosmo. “I’ll leave that to the Princess. In the meantime, go get some rest yourself. I’ll bring DeMarco back to Canterlot.”

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Palmer walked into Cosmo’s guest room and flopped down onto the bed before burying her head in the sheets. She didn’t bother getting up when she heard to door creak open, followed by the click of the latch as it shut.

“You OK?”

“Cloud, I said I could use some sleep.”

Cloud sat down on the edge of the bed, looking down on Palmer. “What’s your point?”

Palmer flipped over and sat up. “My point is you need to get the hell out.”

“And if I don’t plan on leaving?” asked the colt. “Look, I’m worried about you.”

Palmer sighed and slid over to the edge of the bed next to Cloud. “You’re not gonna leave until I say something, are you?”

“Wasn’t planning on it.”

“Look at me, I’m a damn freak!”

Cloud cupped Palmer’s chin, wiping a stray tear away with his free hand. “You’re no freak Sarah. Look, I don’t know what that Changeling really wanted but I really don’t care. You’re still the same person who helped save my life and that’s all that matters.”

Palmer pushed Cloud’s hand away, leaning forward on the palms of her hands. “Remember how I said it was painful?”

Cloud nodded. “And you wanted it marked up as a new form of torture.”

“Tell me, do you know what it feels like to have every part of your body torn apart and rearranged?” she asked. Cloud shook his head. “Well I can tell you that you really don’t want to know.”

“I’ll just take your word for it.” Said Cloud as he wrapped his arm around Palmer’s shoulder. “Look, if it means anything-”

Palmer cut off Cloud when she swung up into his lap. “Just shut up.” She mashed her lips into Cloud’s, pushing him down on the bed “I’ve had a really shitty day, and I need to take my mind off it.”.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Canterlot Castle

“Just follow my lead.” Said Cosmo as he pushed the door into Celestia’s study open.

Celestia was on the couch opposite of Halsey and Twilight enjoying a cup of tea. “I see you’ve found Paul. And Sarah?”

“It’s complicated.” Said Cosmo as he sat on the edge of Halsey’s chair.

“How so?”

“A Changeling took a crack at her, and developed new school of magic at the same time.”

“Wait, new school of magic?” asked Twilight.

Cosmo nodded. “I don’t know what that Changeling was planning, but somehow he managed to manipulate a living being’s DNA and structure to that of another species. In this case, human to earth pony.”

“That’s… Different.” Noted Celestia. “Twilight, start going through the archives. I recall that there have been similar spells over the years. With luck, there should be record of them in there.” Twilight didn’t waste words, instead nodding and teleporting away. “Cosmo, where is Sarah?”

“Guest room back at my loft. And before you ask…” Cosmo hit himself in the forehead. “I left her there with a kid on a hormone trip.”

“And what do you mean by that?” asked Halsey.

“It means I’ll need to burn the sheets in my guest room.”

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Canterlot Castle, The Following Morning

Dusk once more was sitting down at the table in the dining hall, having gone through a clear bottle of liquid.

“So, what’s the poison this morning?” asked Sonar as he picked up the empty bottle. “Rubbing alcohol?”

“What? It works.” Groaned Dusk. “Gives a killer hangover too.”

Sonar sat down next to Dusk, tossing the empty bottle of rubbing alcohol away. “I’ll just take your word for it.”

“Alright, what the hell do you want?”

Sonar put a tacpad down in front of Dusk. “Well, there’s this still-functioning Enclave shipyard down at the south pole. You want to come with your old man to take it out?”

“Now hold on just a moment.” Ordered Dusk. “Why the hell should we take it out?”

“You have a better idea?”

Dusk smiled and sat back in his chair. “I say we take it.”

Author's Note

And there's the setup to the spinoff, "The Northern Guard". Coming up next, some father-son bonding time staring everyone's favorite egotist.