Tales of a Changeling Commander

Chapters

Well this is embarrassing...
To the Dungeon with you...
A Furious New Arrival...
Baking and other fine hobbies...
Flying is for professionals only...
Plots work better at night...Pt 1.
Plots work better at night...pt 2
How to cause a public disturbance at 4 in the morning...
Invasions and Reveals...
My name is...
Being demoted by yourself sucks...
Hasbro and Friends...
Double-Crossing...Pt 0.5
Double-Crossing Pt 2
There was once a High General...
Truth Be Told, I Thought You Already Knew....
...And That's All Folks!
That one Commander...
Double-Crossing Pt 1
A message for all you simpletons...

Well this is embarrassing...

Authors Note: Sorry to those who started reading. Realized there was a last minute tweak to be fixed and so...I had to hastily get it done. Hope you enjoy and give feedback on any errors to be fixed.

The last thing he saw was a flash of light...

...and the next thing he saw was another flash of light.

The insect carapace of a changeling was usually more than enough protection to withstand the suicidal impacts they did on tribal sieges. However, for the first time in many years, the Commander felt an ache in his lower thigh, cratches over his shell, possibly a broken snout, and the feeling that he had been kicked in places no creature should be kicked in.

"Owwwwwwwwwwww...." he managed to moan, rubbing his head against a cold, rough metal surface. His head felt like it had been split open like a watermelon. As his blurred vision began to adjust to the current environment, he saw slender, cylindrical pillars and chains emanating a violet aura that seemed both tranquil and hostile. "What' going on here?"

He was in a cage. A magically strengthened cage to be exact, reserved for Equestria's "finest". Here and there, lights in distant houses and cottages were flickering on as the clamor of voices began to surge into an uproar. Two unicorn guards flanked each side, carrying the cage as their gold-plated metal danced with the moonlight. It wasn't too bad in his perspective- he had lived in more debatable establishments as a common legion drone and, in a way, found it amusing that he was being paraded around town by two buff guards like he was royalty.

To no one in particular, he found himself murmuring, "Well this is embarrassing..."

And embarrassing it was. Paraded around town, having tomatoes, carrots, and...well...even muffins thrown at him. The Commander was no longer hungry anymore though, as he casually munched on a blueberry muffin. Apparently, the grey pegasus that had been the source of the sweet projectile didn't take a liking to his behavior. But who cares, she looked weird anyway. In a way, if it wasn't for the bars, he would technically be a prince lavished with cakes and all sorts of pony cuisine.

Yet, he knew this wasn't the case. In his defense, he hadn't meant any intentional harm in conversing with the mare. In fact, he was sure he could technically charge both unicorns with assault, if it had not been that he had so foolishly disguised himself as an affluential aristocrat.

Idiot! He slammed his hoof directly onto the ebony metal of his helmet, causing him to gasp in pain. He held his hoof, gently rubbing the burning sensation where he had so forcefully impacted his favorite limb.

Outside, groups of ponies, mares with fillies clutched in their arms, and groups of colts eyeing him like he was some sort of ursa-major, gathered to shout and occasionally throw whatever they had in their hooves at him.

"Sickly nag!"

"Inconceivable piece of scat!"

"You scoundrel!"

"I believe the only scoundrel here is you miss, thank you" he raised his hoof and began to wave as if he was some sort of celebrity. In reality, he wanted to crawl back to the hive, cower in his "lavish" room reserved for the Commander, and cry himself to sleep. However, he had been in this situation before. Many times in fact, whenever he managed to mess up on a ploy or arouse suspicion among the general populace. It wasn't his fault that they didn't educate the new swarms on how to stay incognito! Why, sure they may have had a seminar, but really, the Commander could have spent his time doing far better things then listening to some old smartypants drone on and on about how to appear appealing in a situation where this colt hates this mare and blah blah blah.

Well I guess this is life's way of telling me that I should have listened in class. He thought grimly.

The procession continued on for several more minutes before ending in a square, near a large, colorful tower. A wooden stage had been set, and the Commander could make out the six multi-colored, flank-kicking, ponies that had interfered with his objective in Canterlot. Standing with them was a tall, regal alicorn accompanied by who he presumed was her sister. The sight literally took his breath away.

While the taller sister was as white as day with a flowing mane of light colors, her sister was a ravishing night, a celestial mane that shined like the stars he would watch on guard duty back at the hive. So of course he would sigh dreamily, only to be slapped by an apple pitched for his head by some small yellow earth pony.

"Take that ya' varmin!" Applebloom howled.

"You better watch yourself missy," the Commander threatened," or else I'm gonna show you..OOF!" Another apple had found its mark on his icy blue eyes.

"Ouch! Stop throwing that at me! It hurts!" He began to rub his eye as more laughter continued and another apple zipped through the bars and collided with his injured limb.

Finally, the guards dropped the cage with a thud in front of the two alicorns, who eyed the creature before him, determining what cruel fate could await this minion of evil confined to the insides of this cage. The crowds had by now quieted. The Commander stood straight up, trying to stare with the best poker face he could manage. After all, this wasn't his first trial that he had to escape from. It was common for some townsfolk to hold a trial ,which would then end with the verdict of guilty and him scramming off into the forest ahead, laughing at their foolishness.

However, this was a formal trial for war criminals, and he was being adjudicated by who he would guess was Princess Celestia herself. He had never seen her in person, but she definitely looked like the royal type. Not that it mattered though, for it was still going to be the same. He was still going to get punished. The Commander puffed his chest, and sealed his eyes.

And now the show was about to begin.

%%%%

She watched the scene play out, her face pale and her legs shaking uncontrollably. It was a changeling no doubt. Her "neighbors" had told her about it. This one had been caught in the act of trying to blend in, though rather poorly. This was the first time she had seen any of her brothers or sisters since the forcefield had flung them into the air.

She had been unconscious for an hour or so before waking up to the realization of what had happened, adopting a form that no pony would notice her as, settle into society as a newcomer, make new friends to feed love off of, and simply rinse and repeat. It had almost become ingrained in her mind, to the point where she was beginning to believe it herself. Almost though, before the news of the capture spread throughout the crowd and she could only helplessly watch what could have happened to her or any of her siblings had they been unfortunate enough to be caught.

Under the rule of the queen, the Swarm would leave no member behind, but the hive mind was broken, shattered and scattered across Equestria. It was no longer about conquest. It was about survival.

"You okay?" the concern in the colts voice was palpable, and she hungrily snatched the ounce of love it contained.

"Yes, just a little stunned at how this whole trial is going."

As if on que, a reassuring hoof gently planted itself over her back, as if it could shield whatever negative thoughts tried to penetrate it.

"Don't you worry, I heard they got themselves the leader of the bunch."

QUEEN CHRYSALIS! It was already bad enough that they had been defeated, but if the queen herself had been captured then that could only spell doom for the entire hive.

%%%%

The crowd grew into an eerie silence as Princess Celestia raised her hoof. The Commander didn't feel intimidated however. He was a professional after all. At least...in his mind.

"Fellow subjects of Ponyville," the dark alicorn proclaimed. the Commander just gazed up, and got up on his ghastly hooves, his eyes drawn to the radiant beauty before him. His mind blotted out whatever she was going to say next, instead concocting what in his opinion were very catching lines and phrases.

"...and so, all Changelings must be brought through a trial conducted by me and my sister, Princess Celestia. Are thou' have any objections?"

"Yeah," a caramel stallion raised his hoof, "What do we do if there are more of these evil minions?"

This apparently caused a great uproar among the congregation, and the sound of fear and panic rose like fog in the air.

"SILENCE!!" the dark alicorn bellowed in a voice that shook the earth and went the Commander flying to the back of his cage. The crowd once again settled into their obedient postion of peace and quiet.

"Now," Princess Celestia began," let us question this Changeling on his motives..."

%%%%%

She glared at the prisoner before her with fierce eyes. He wore the armor of a changeling of high regard. In fact, he could be the leader of the battalion, Second-in-Command to the Queen herself. This changeling had information that would allow her and her guards to go on a bug hunt and put the swarm out for good. A smile crossed her lips. There hasn't been a good battle since a thousand years ago...

%%%%%

"You are a changeling yes?" the Princess said in as controlled a voice as she could manage, though it did come out to be stern.

"I do believe there should be a Commander somewhere in there...", the Commander said nonchalantly. If he was to get out of this, he figured his wit may be the only thing to save him. Oh well, he heard the dungeons had great bean and cheese burritos on Tuesdays.

"So you are Second-in-Command then?" the other alicorn asked.

The Commander felt his whole body soar, and he blurted," That's right gorgeous...". Of course the whole audience went into a second uproar, to which both Princesses had to raise their hooves again.

"How dare you talk of my fellow sister Princess Luna as if she was a possession." The Celestia seemed just about read to grab his head and stick it in thick, searing lard. After taking a couple of deep breaths, they continued.

"What are you doing here?" Princess Luna asked, her cheeks turning a rosy red.

"Well, I sort of flew down here from that crazy force field you guys set up there," the Commander began, " which, by the way, may I ask who started that whole thing?"

"That was Twilight's brother ,Shining Armor, and his wife Princess Mia--" Princess Celestia began before the Changeling raised his hoof.

"Yaddya Yaddya, I know who your'e talking about now. That Mr. Charming and his bride, Princess Sing-A-Long. Believe me, as a changeling, I get to know ponies a lot based on looks. You creatures are soooooooo predictable. Of course, so is many of the creatures in the swarm, with the exception of yours truly, and my battalion. But maybe not you, Princess Luna, you look like you would make a good evil mistress. "

By this time, Princess Celestia stood straight, her purples eyes turning into a soft red, while the six ponies, who he now assumed were the Elements of Harmony-hey he didn't snooze around in the lecture all the time-just outright tried to say as many insults as they could come up with. The yellow one, however, just seemed to sniffle in a corner.

When everypony got a hold of themselves, the Princess decreed her verdict, which was guilty, nothing surprising there, and decided to outline the kind of punishment he would receive.

"Because of your... beastly nature..."

"Hey lady, I only go beast mode when the time is right," said the Commander in a matter-of-fact voice.

"As I was saying," Celestia began, agitation ringing through her every word, " you will spend the remaining years of your life here in Ponyville, with the Elements of Harmony teaching you how to be a more...civil being."

The last words were said as if she was talking to a snake. But it wasn't that that got the Commander to raise his eyes in shock. No, it was the fact that they weren't sending him to the dungeon. And apparently, he was going to spend the rest of his life with the very ponies that had defeated him.

"Hold on a second Princess!" he yelled out, "Let's try to work something out. I know I haven't been on the best of my behavior, but I think that with some negotiations, we may be able to both leave this square feeling happy. I'm sure you want that right??"

However, the Princess just turned and waltzed off, leaving him in the cage.

As the crowd dispersed, the Commander pictured himself in the near future. It would be a disaster! He could tell that the Elements were going to make sure he learned a lesson, except for the pink one, who just seemed excited as if he was going to sleep over.

She's the one I'm afraid of. He thought dreadfully. And so the Commander buried his head in his hooves, attempting to blot out whatever thoughts plagued him.

%%%%

She watched him from a distance, so as to not appear suspicious to her friends. To any other being, one could say she morphed right into the background. Just another pony in Ponyville. If only so.

The Commander had been caught. To say she was surprised would be to say changelings don't feed on love. The Commander had been an upstart since the beginning. However, unlike most of her fellow brothers and sisters, she actually knew him before she served under his command during the Canterlot conquest. That one year, when she was first sent out to feed for a week. She was being sent to a cottage.

The young changelings waited eagerly as they were given out their assignments. All but one changeling, that is. She had been given the hardest one, to live in solitude with a colt. Her other siblings would be able to feed off many sources.

She involuntarily heaved a sigh, to which several of her comrades gazed up with confused expressions. Even though they fed off it, few members of the swarm could ever read one's own emotions. It was a sad fact, almost an irony, that they could understand social behavior and feed off it, yet, know nothing about their own conscience.

The rough nudge of a hoof startled her. Looking up, she saw the "late bloomer" as they called him. Sure they all had names, but no one bothered to call the Late Bloomer by his name. His real name at least. Bloom, as she herself had adopted for him, was the worst in their batch. A horrible tactician, and even worse when it came to paying attention. She already knew what he had gotten. A garbage collector fro the town, and for some odd reason, her cottage. It was the only job that required next to no actual talking with the other ponies, but she could already guess that it was going to be his last. There was always one who never made it back. Usually they starved to death, or in some worst cases, killed.

"Looks like I get to do the same job I do here," he grinned. That smile: one that could be considered a special talent. Few ever had his kind of positive attitude, The Queen said it made them weak. To give compassion was to regurgitate one's own food. Well, Bloom certainly didn't look hungry.

His grin dissolved into a frown. "What's wrong?"

"Oh nothing," she hissed, "I'm just a bit nervous."

"Well don't be, its just for a week and you get to eat fresh love. I mean, that's like...the best thing that can ever happen!"

She had to laugh at his alien sense of humor. He never hissed like a normal changeling. His reasoning was to stay in character, which he was terrible at. The instructor showed each one their own pony to portray and in minutes, the sea of uniform changelings turned into a rainbow of mares, fillies, colts, and stallions.

At first, the assignment went well. She fed off the colt and was able to store some for the swarm. But she could see that he was slowly drawing suspicion.

When they visited the market, the colt left to and pick up some tea. The market was filled with an impressive array os goods ranging from bright red toys, to foaming barrels of cider, to freshly made popcorn. Munching on a snack of popcorn, as she could experiences taste, she continued her steady trot. As she gazed up at the shop windows, a pearl white pegasus landed her hoof on her.

"Welcome to Hoofing Tales!" she said in an overexasperated voice.

"Umm excuse me..." she began before being cut off.

"Don't worry darling, we have all the necessities you need right here." and with that she was hauled into the store that reeked of cheap perfume and white, milky walls.

"Please, I'm just trying to..."

"Oh allow me," she said as she took her to a desk that blended into the walls. Before she could utter another word, powder was doused over her until her nose was filled with the stuff.

"This looks good," and with another douse the mare felt herself coughing as more powder was thrown at her face,

She was sure she was going to pass out, or lose her concentration and appear in her true form. She was just about to heave another sneeze when the clerk gave a gasp of horror.

Arching her head, the changeling saw that a blue, burly stallion had entered the shop. His hooves were caked with dirt and a green gas permeated off his body.

But his stern and gruff posture erupted into a cheerful smile.

"Maple!" he squealed as he rushed towards the pair. The changeling felt herself hoisted into the air as she was squeezed into a tight hug. She was sure she was about to suffocate when at last, she was released.

"Why," the clerk said as she got out of her trance, " aren't you the garbage colt?"

"You betcha lady," the colt huffed his chest, "and may I say I have been looking everywhere for you."

Outside, the fervor of noise and ringing of bells muffled their voices.

"So, how's it been?" Bloom asked.

"We aren't supposed to be together," she hissed. If he continued to talk to her, they would both be dead soon.

Bloom looked appalled, "Well I'm sorry, I was just checking on an old friend who said she was nervous about her new job!" It was a good thing the noise drowned out his booming voice.

"Well let's just be glad I..." and before she continued, she sneezed.

"Looks like that powder got to your head missy," Bloom grinned.

"Yeah I..." another sneeze, but this time a ripple revealed the bug-like shell underneath.

Dodging carts and incoming shoppers, Bloom rushed her to an abandoned alleyway as she gave off another sneeze which shattered her adopted form, revealing the true insect-like creature underneath. It took another minute to get all the powder out. After a few deep breaths, the changeling regained her form from memorizing her character.

"What was in that stuff?" Bloom asked, puzzled.

"I don't know, but I'm certain powder doesn't do that."

***

In the alleyway of the fashion shop and spa, the colt and the Captain of the Guard stood idly by, as two guards rushed with a salute.

"Sir, no sign of her."

The Captain heaved a sigh and looked at the colt. "I was certain the powder would work."

"Me too, but then that cooky garbage stallion took her away. Sweet Celestia those ponies are weird." The colt looked into the horizon when he suddenly saw his wife walking across.

"There she is!"

The group tackled the mare to the ground as the captain's horn glowed an earthly brown. All eyes darted onto the scene. Waiting to see...nothing. The mare looked up at her husband, her eyes shooting daggers at everypony that had tried to attack her, their bodies slowly moving away.

"Monte? What's the meaning of this?"

"Why Maple, you're...you?" Monte took a step back, his face blushing.

"Of course it's me you idiot, I told you I was going away on a business trip."

***

The swarm returned with no casualties and all the prisoners were hypnotized with a plausible story to back each of them up. The celebration afterwards was magnificent. Food was shared among everyone and even the Queen allowed a day of rest from the constant buzz of activity.

She, however, sat alone on a table. If it hadn't been for Bloom's rash, and stupid, action, she would have been discovered. She was sure of it. As she got up to leave her nesting chamber, she heard the sound of raised voices. Curious, she followed the sound to the room of the instructor, who was barking harshly at some member fo the swarm.

"...and finally, you never ever ever interfere with another changeling's mission."

"But sir." the voice belonged to Bloom.

"But sir nothing, you run the risk of both of you being discovered."

"But the powder would have exposed her. She could have been killed."

"That is her responsibility then, not yours."

But deep down, she knew that she was trapped. There was no way to leave the shop without drawing attention to herself. But instead, Bloom had gotten her and now it was he who was being scolded instead of her.

The Commander was now the damsel in distress. Being condemned to endure a humiliating punishment. Except that he wasn't.

She and her siblings would make sure of that.

To the Dungeon with you...

Well there goes my life.

The Commander was in the fetal postion, sucking his swollen hoof as two guards came to the cage's sides. The cage suddenly glowed with a navy blue aura that matched that of the radiant Princess Luna.

"Your'e gonna like your new home bucko," a guard sneered. His partner gave a cackle.

The Commander stumbled to his feet, his face quizzical at the guards comment. "What do you mean?"

The partner gave his friend a look before saying, "You're going to spend your time in the Ponyville Dungeon foal."

Now it was the Commander's turn to laugh. Rolling on the base of the cage, his hooves flailing as if in some contorted spasm. It was a few good minutes before the guffawing subsided.

"You serious? Ponyville Dungeon? That's the best thing I've heard in months! I mean seriously, I know you are all like justice and stuff, but really? A prison? For who, cake thieves? Oh no, the book burglar right? Dear Chrysalis I heard this town was like, one of the prime real estates because of the non-existent crime rate!" He continued to roll on the floor, hooting like a rabid dog.

The guards slanted their eyes and resumed the steady march as they made their way to a bright yellow building with a pink rimmed roof and matching roses sprouting from the borders. A few stragglers from the crowd made it an obligation to follow the prisoner, though why is as much a mystery to the Commander as the reason for his promotion to his prestigious postion in the hive.

"You make me sick!" one unicorn hollered at the top of her lungs. The crowd gave a cheer in agreement, which rebounded off the pastel walls and through the magically-bounded iron bars of the cage. The Commander covered his ears and mouthed the words 'I can't hear you' at the crowd. He got the desired effect.

Mumbling incessantly to themselves, the crowd dispersed, leaving the chirp of crickets and clomp of hooves to echoe in the silent, star-filled night.

"I still find it funny that you have a prison for pony prisoners," the Commander snickered as he crossed his hooves behind his head and extended his body so that his belly faced the moon, "Bet you they haven't been in use for ages."

"Yep." the guard replied back.

Getting up, the Commander hoisted himself so that his snout was just protruding over the bars. His grin was as wide as a crescent, his teeth reflecting the light like a mirror. "So I bet you cleaned it up for your first guest."

"Yeah," the other guard motioned, " we had a few house guests move in, but after some coaxing, we got most of them out."

The Commander gave a slight chuckle. "That was a good one, for a moment you had me there." Clearing his throat, he continued. "You mean you got all of them right?"

"Nope," the guard's lip made a jerk as it bended upwards, forming a slight grin, "just most of them." Then, after pondering at the sky for a moment, added, "But don't worry, they only have eight legs."

The Commander's eyes widened, his mouth drooling saliva that dripped at a steady pace on the dry dirt. "Eight...legs..." he seemed to say in a tone that was in between fear and humor. It was as if the whole cage was closing down on him. He could see it now, back in his days as a hatchling. Eight luminous eyes. A hairy ball of fur that clung to whatever filth it dragged across. Fangs that curve like sickly scimitars. Legs that are as thick as vines, spindling into a mesh of chains that would entrap him.

"You can't put me in the dungeon!" he cried, "I have arachnophobia for Celestia's sake!"

"Oh don't worry," the other guard said, his muscles contracting to hold back the smile forming on his lips," just don't bother them and they won't bother you."

But the Commander was in a stage beyond reason. "Please, I will do whatever it takes to stay as far away from those 8-legged hooligans as possible. I'll polish your armor! I'll clean your living room! I'll stop stealing from my battalion's secret stash. Yes I knew about that, but honestly, who could resist? There were pancakes in there! PANCAKES!"

By this time the guards were focusing all their attention on the road, leaving the Commander to wallow in the recesses of his natural phobia. You'd think living in a hive would mean such creatures were met on a common basis, but for the Commander, it was torture to sleep with one, to where it came to the point that he was sterilizing and cleaning his quarters every night, spraying bug-kill spray that he stole from the swarm's collection crates.

Now he would once again have to share bunks with his mortal foe. It would be a constant battle, a test of courage reserved for only the bravest of the brave who fear the depths of their enemies' small, lifeless, piercing eyes. He, the Commander, would sleep in his cot stoically, bracing the hairy terrors from Tartarus.

The ruby-coated doors peeled away to show a light brown mare with glasses looking over a book, her mane a stormy gray that matched her baggy eyes as it skimmed behind the horn-rimmed glasses that were held by beaded string so that she resembled a librarian.

"Hey Mags," one of the guards tipped his head in the mare's direction.

"Prisoner 1 to Block 1" she droned mechanically.

"There's a Commander in that title missy!" spat the Commander, annoyed at how he was being treated.

But the earth pony just continued to sift through the leaf-like pages of her book, her interest now faded. Though if she ever had some to begin with is still in question.

A dark-wood behemoth of a door with an iron ring showed the entrance to the imposing prison that would be his home. A slit of moonlight peered through to reveal a grey stone interior, where two bunks hung loosely to the thin black frames that struggled to bear the weight of lumpy, molded mattresses. Stains that ranged from brown, to black, to various shades of white and beige dotted the surface like craters. And in the shadows that occupied the corners, tiny, eight-legged specks hustled to and fro, oblivious to their new visitor.

BANG!

The door smothered all the orange light that emanated from the office. He was stuck down here. The Commander paced back and forth, weighing his options. The window was too thin to fly out from. Trying to bypass the guards would be as successful as his last deception with the pretty unicorn. So he was left with redeeming himself or somehow having the whole swarm come to his rescue, which he knew the likelihood of that was more of a joke then a fact.

He decided to move to the mattress and lay his carapace over it. Surprisingly, it was soft and fluffy, but as was expected from a prison where the worst crime that could be done would be to toss an apple and hit somepony square in the face. But then again, if he was in charge, the Commander would just laugh and call it a doozy or something.

He once again crossed his hooves behind his head, his legs and body stretching outward to compensate the length.

"Well this sucks." he hissed to no one in particular, except for maybe, his minuscule enemy. He would be brave however. Sleeping valiantly while his enemies engulfed him. Giving them no pleasure with his guttural screams and cries of anguish. He was the Commander of the Changeling Swarm and in the name of his Queen he would not cry like a filly.

%%%%

His whines and sobs were more like that of a newborn foal as his hooves held a tight grip over the grey-wool blankets. Opening one's mouth to breath would invite death as he heard the scuttle of his nemesis from below. It was going to be a long...long...long...oh stop tormenting him...night.

%%%%

She snuck out of the cottage when the moon was at its highest peak. Shifting into the shadows, she eventually came to a street where she could trot at a casual pace. Not a sound except for the wind and groan of the earth could be heard. The alleyway could be seen a block's distance away.

The red bricks seemed to resemble a sickly imitation of the hive she was once in. In fact, she could almost feel the resin that was secreted to form such delicate structures. The Queen was one who could make beauty out of anything. It was a gift of the changelings. They could make any plain and old cavern into a mystical hallway of living art. Their bodies could morph into perfect, identical, imitations of almost any creature they so choose to be. So how could something that made such amazing art be considered so evil? She had been struggling with this thought since her first assignment.

The others stood in an odd, squished semicircle. Each had adopted his or her own form, though she was sure there were many more out there, disguised. But this was the majority of the battalion.

"So the Commander was captured today," she said in an adopted voice.

"And why should we care," a blue stallion walked in front, " that bloke nearly got us all killed!"

Hisses of agreements and orders to be silent flooded the alleyway. When it was all quiet, she began again.

"He may not be the best," she slowly vocalized," but he is part of the swarm and we do not abandon our own brethren to be condemned while we all hide like cowards."

"But he may prove to be more trouble than he's worth," a bright green pegasus offered, " he may ruin or blow our cover. I'm sorry to say this, but this brother isn't exactly the best at selling the character."

"But if we are to unite, the Commander may be the only leader we have to assemble the family again."

Family was all it took to get everyone's eyes to dart on her. It was true, the Commander may be a nuisance, but he is family and if the swarm is to rebuild, they must show they are united under one empire, one swarm, and one family.

"So what's the plan?"

%%%%

The sun rose over the hills' crest and the cry of a rooster roused the Commander to his hooves as he groggily wiped his eyes. The defeat of last night was inevitable. The audible moaning and bawling was voluntary, though he could argue that it was strictly involuntary and could prove that his hypothalamus had had some responsibility behind it.

The persistent knocking at the door managed to become his second alarm clock, and he slowly, groggily, pulled the wooden bar that shined light through a grated window. The guard at the end slipped what appeared to be a sliver tray through a golden slot at the bottom.

The tray was covered with what looked to be mud disguised as pudding or casserole. " What is this," the Commander muttered, " sewage waste?"

"A welcoming gift from the rats themselves, made with the freshest love bits can buy." The pegasus's tone sounded much like a salespony. The Commander had tried out for that job, but like all other jobs, he was chased out of town and had to outrun the machine that two competing brothers had built.

Leaving the tray to bake in the light, the Commander decided to watch through his peephole that was the metal grating. From this vantage point, he could see that the librarian, as he had now come to refer her as, sitting in the same chair, her attentions drawn to her book while the guard was sitting on a stool, also engaged in a novel. The cover on it showed a tan pegasus with a grey mane and what he could guess was an explorer's cap over her head. The mare was swinging from tree to tree, avoiding an armada of freakish snow golems. He was sure he had seen her before. Back in an old mission he had done. Her name was...was...

"DARING DOO!" The Commander squealed at the top of his lungs. The guard stared at the prisoner's exuberant outburst with a bewildered expression. "You know Daring Do?"

"Why of course I would recognize that mare! I read all her books when I disguised myself as a security guard at a local library. My partner showed me this book and I wasn't interested at first but then I said I would give it a go and boy was I right to read it. I was so into it, I didn't sleep day or night and when we had to leave, I took a few of the extra copies with me. I know stealing is bad and all, but I think I did a pretty good job working there for no pay. Anyway, I still have the collection in my chambers at the nest."

The amount of words took the guard off..well...guard. After getting over the changeling's giddiness on the subject, and seeing that his only other company was a boring receptionist, the pegasus felt that is was no harm in conversing with the second-in-command of his enemies.

"How far have you gotten?" he asked as he walked up to the grating.

"Up to the Mystery of the Chocolate Musketeer," the Commander replied, "I do have to say though that I hated the Crystal Hoof, felt out of place in the series for some reason. I think the author shouldn't have listened to his publisher. That idea almost ruined the whole series for me. Good thing though that the Flaming Cloak came afterwards along with the Subterranean Wonder."

"Yeah," the guard was almost going to hop, but managed to stay discreet, " I thought that book was terrible. But oh well, at least they are back on track to releasing good editions nowadays."

"New editions?" the Commander screamed out loud, "I never knew they had new additions! I already got in trouble twice for sneaking outside the nest to gather more for my collection, but I was self-assured that they ended with Daring Doo riding off into the sunset."

"Nope," the guard chuckled, " they won't end that series until the author goes on a real adventure. And even then, that may just bring in more ideas to write down."

"Wow," the changeling sighed as he gazed at the book, whose title was unfamiliar to his pupils, "do you mind if I could borrow that from you. I know I'm like a prisoner and all, but hey, I could end up complaining and nagging you all day if you don't hand over that copy."

"I'll give you the continuation of the last one you read," the guard placed his book back on his stool, as he muddled over the brown cardboard case that contained the latest volumes, all arranged in a kaleidoscope of colors.

"Ah," he yanked a fiery orange book out of the box, "here it is."

Walking over to the grate, the book seamlessly slipped through the golden slot and into the outstretched hooves of the Commander. Forgetting that his hoof was still injured, he winced and backed away as the book collided with the surface of the floor.

"Shoot," he hastily snatched the book back up, his eyes glowing as if it was staring at solid gold. At the very least, he would have something to do for the time being.

The guard walked back and settled into his stool as he began and the changeling began to read. Hours shifted into minutes as both creatures were captivated at the mare's deed and how risky and daring they were. Right now, the Commander was holding on to every word as Daring Do fled the Zap-Apple Ghoul, a monstrosity experiment gone wrong when combined with the sacred elements. The mare was reaching a dead end. There was no way she could make it. If he hadn't known any better, he was quite sure that this would be it. His heart pumping, his whole body rattling and his lungs holding his breath as his eyes ate up each word, paragraph by paragraph.

The thrill, the deception, the shockers that left his mouth open. These were the reasons he had become such an avid follower of the stories. It was impossible to resist such amazing content. He had even tried to work at a job so that he could purchase copies, until the Queen demanded that he stop unless he wanted to sleep with the spiders. One of the many reasons he hated the Queen was that she knew his weaknesses and phobias. That fact that she used them to control him made his blood boil, but alas, he could do nothing about it.

At least I am done having to deal with creatures like her.

%%%%

He sat there, the branch levitating in the green aura casted by a scimitar of a horn. The hat lay neatly over his head, a simple brown fedora. Two other brothers were leaning over the tree, black bowler hats shielding their shells from the baking sun.

"Please...I've done nothing wrong." the unicorn pleaded.

Five days ago, he had received the assignment to track this escapee of a changeling. He had tracked her to the outer parts of Equestria, and after an impressive chase, his prey was now hanging in front of him, a trophy.While they were gone apparently, or at least according to the newspaper, the hive underwent a risky conquest that backfired in Canterlot. Something about a Royal Wedding. He wasn't much of a patriot to the Queen. Yet he wasn't much of a loyalist either. In his opinion, the Queen was just a love source, ironically, who paid him food for his job. He wasn't good at pretending to be something he wasn't, but he could sure think like it. Tracking was his game. And so far he was going for an undefeated streak.

The mare hanged like a plum, upside down with her limbs bounded in a criss-cross applesauce fashion. It would be easy pickings after this job. He strode around her now, eating up the scene.

"The Queen doesn't like those who try to flee the hive missy," he grinned at his words, the branch looming ever so near the tip of the pink horn of the unicorn.

"I promise I'll come back Thresh, honest to the Queen I will." her voice was limp.

"Well you see," he explained in a calm manner, "I don't think that will count darling. The Queen is nowhere to be found and right now, this here town pays for changelings dead or alive. Though I guess I can't really let you sing to the authorities now if I plan to make profit of this here establishment."

The unicorn's eyes seemed to spread like a wave, her pupils sinking into her skull as the full realization hit her. "You wouldn't..."

"They didn't call me a renegade for nothin'." and with those last words, the branch swung with full force towards her skull, the deafening crack causing a pair of vultures to scramble to the nearby plateau.

Author's Note: A bit rushed but I couldn't resist to publish the next chapter. Hopefully, some of you will have caught a reference to another, if not more, fantastic story.

A Furious New Arrival...

The pile of books laid in a neat column of books, their covers vibrant with color and their pages straight and uniform. The Commander was fixated on the final story. Daring Do was trying to impersonate a wealthy aristocrat to gain access to the secret relic that would reveal the next clue to finding the sacred chamber.

He had to laugh at how similar his and Daring's predicaments were. Both had tried to disguise themselves, but the difference was that one actually knew what she was doing. The Commander would have loved to have had this copy, as he may have been able to gather some tips on how to act more self-esteemed as well as elegant. But alas, this was the latest edition, and he had missed out on a lot of reading. As he continued to turn each page, ever so slowly, hanging on to each word, the sound of a door thud made him jerk back.

%%%%

The colt looked up just in time to see what the commotion outside was earlier. His partner had brought back a changeling. The creature looked hazed out and motionless, small in comparison to the white stallion who held him in his magical grasp.

"Clyde," the colt said, putting his book down as he stared bewildered at the new prisoner, "where did you find that one?"

Clyde was a heavy-built white stallion. His eyes a piercing brown and his demeanor was about as sociable as you would expect from a warden who had spent the last two years mopping an empty jail cell. The smirk on his face indicated that he was happy to be finally doing something. The colt couldn't blame him. After all, Clyde had once served in the war and had seen numerous battles in his youth. He had been quite muscular and buff back then, but age began to wear that away, and despite his efforts, it was a losing battle. Unfit for combat, but still unable to give up his postion, the Princess sent him to Ponyville to run the prison. Though nopony ever mentioned it, he was sure Clyde had been sent in order to adjust to civilian life. And yet, here he was, a stubborn stump who refused to acknowledge the fact that he had to change.

"Some mare cried 'changeling' and pointed her hoof at a random blue stallion. Before I could get a hold of the situation, half the crowd-don't ask me why they were even there- made a dog pile over him and soon enough, he changed forms. Ross Feathers yanked him out of the crowd before anypony actually got hurt. But it was all for nothing. The sorry sod was out cold . When he comes across, maybe I'll give him a trial."

Maybe the colt thought wryly. Clyde was an antique from an era where justice was served by the ponies for the ponies. Trials were social gatherings and punishments were severe and humiliating. However, it was a past he knew the soldier of Celestia wanted to forget, to repress. Instead, it kept coming up more often then not whether he liked it or not. There were days the colt wished Clyde would be transferred to a region where his discipline was accepted. Maybe if he had been sent as a drill instructor, he may have at least felt like he was still serving for a purpose.

As he walked to the cell, the door swung open and slammed its wooden surface on the adjoining wall. Clyde tossed the unconscious detainee in the cell before he froze in half-trot. His eyes swiveled conspicuously from the cell to the colt, as if debating what he saw was real or not. His eyes locked and his voice was filled with a sense of incertitude. "You gave him reading material?"

"It was either that or he would nag me to death." He was now picking up his book and focusing on the story as the cell swiveled shut. Clyde walked by and leaned by the desk, where Mags just continued to read the pamphlet she had found in the mail. After about a minute, the stallion asked the colt what he was reading, to where he tried to explain the series he was following. After about another minute in, Clyde's eye lids shifted up and down like indecisive drapes and the stallion got up to leave, wishing that the colt enjoy his book and join him in a contest one day.

%%%%

She had watched the guard go. She was so sure that they had been safe, but it turned out that it just wasn't the case. It had been a mistake to tackle the colt. She was only following the crowd, but in her attempt to blend in, she had triggered a spell that knocked the changeling unconscious, revealing his form. There was nothing she could do but watch in dread as the guard dragged the comatose brother away. She didn't even know his name.

But if it meant anything, it was that there were more out there then she thought. Possibly, even, the entire battalion!

%%%%%

The Commander simply just stared, his mouth gaping as drool came in drips like a broken faucet. The other changeling just laid there, his body as lifeless as a cadaver. Obviously, whatever happened had hit the poor fellow hard. The Commander wasn't a professional on spells, but he sure knew one that always worked in waking one up. Gathering to his hooves, he snuck pass the new roommate, whose audible snore rang out throughout the cell.

"Hey you there," he whispered to the guard. The white colt trotted up to the grating, his eyes giving off an amused look at how cautious the changeling was of his partner. He decided to go with the act, whispering silently.

"What? You planning on escaping?"

The Commander slanted his eyes and gave the colt a grimace that nearly made him snort out loud. He had to wonder how such a swarm member ever...ever...got second-in-command.

"If I was, would I be telling you?"

"It depends," the colt said thoughtfully, "how much would you bribe a guard?"

"About as much as I would bribe that receptionist."

Both creatures had to giggle at that. Mags was about as animate as a powered rag. At least they moved on their own.

"Anyway, I need a bucket of water, extremely hot if you will."

Now the colt was perplexed. A bucket of hot water was a peculiar request, especially since he saw no use to it, unless the Commander wanted to become a maid, which would probably come after the Commander decided to he would burn his collection. But the prison guard gave a slight nod and went to fetch a bucket. After balancing the steaming pot over his head, he opened the door and slipped the pot in. With a broad grin, the Commander gently lifted the bucket and placed it parallel to the changeling's side. Lifting the sickly hoof, he slipped it into the water and crept back to this books on the other side of the room.

Then it hit the guard the intentions of the Commander a split-second before there was the sound of liquid and of a changeling hollering at the top of his lungs. Now he was sure that the Queen must have been drinking too much cider when she chose this changeling to take care of her children.

%%%%

The changeling literally shot up like a high-speed rocket to the roof, where he thankfully had enough sense to stop and dash straight for a pillow, his blue eyes scanning the room for the perpetrator that taken away what little dignity he had left. And there was the enemy. A changeling sitting by an impressive array of books, where a navy blue helmet and chest plate adorned his body as if it was apart of him. Without thinking for another second, he ran right up to his target and tackled him to the rough stone floor.

"YOU SLY LITTLE MANIAC!" he roared, "HOW DARE YOU PRANK ME YOU LITTLE PIECE OF RESIN-SECRETED TRASH!"

"Ease down mate!" the changeling threw up his hooves in the air as if in mock surrender, "I'm the Commander of the Changelings, take a simple prank will you."

After some debatable thought, the insect-like colt eased off his grasp that had pinned the Commander like a rag doll. Taking in a few deep breaths, he eyed the Commander, his brain still working out whether or not to trust this so-called leader.

"Your'e the Commander?" he said slowly, sounding out each word.

"Yes sir, and as you may have noticed, we're both in prison!" The Commander shot his hooves up, his lips beaming as if this was good news.

"You're a queer." he said, an edge of finality hinting in his vocal cords. As his thoughts reassembled themselves, memories flooded of his birth right to the point where he had been assigned to a battalion and...

"Wait one second!" he proclaimed before seemingly teleporting himself face to face with the Commander. "I know you, Mr. Role Model. You were the commanding officer during the invasion in Canterlot! You're the noob that got us all pinned up in the courtyard where I got my flank kicked by a bunch of ponies!"

"You...you were under my leadership?" he stuttered. It didn't matter that the changeling had insulted him for a second time, but the fact that his initial mission had been to be the instrument of salvation for his battalion. Here he was, imprisoned with a member of his swarm, arguing over past blunders. It was...disgraceful almost, not like he cared though.

The changeling simply shrugged. "I was, me and a few other mates to be exact. But I don't know what happened to them."

"I'm sorry," the Commander began to feel tipsy, his body swaying as if bracing a gust of wind," I wish I could have led...better..." He fell to his knees, his eyes beginning to fill with a film of liquid. He knew it was foolish and likely very mortifying for the changeling to be staring at him, a leader who cannot even control himself.

Despite this however, the changeling's distorted and darkened features melted into a disconcerted look. He sluggishly raised a hoof and patted the shaking equine. "Hey man," he tried to sound as calm as possible, but his words still came out resentful, "I don't care. Okay well, I actually do care a lot but right now you look like you're on the verge of bawling your head out. So I'll just give you the benefit of the doubt and comfort you now. Which will begin right when I say you shouldn't beat yourself up about it."

The Commander sniffled and stood back up, his mouth still in a frown, but his outlook confident. "Thank you there sir. Sorry. I don't get emotional that often."

The changeling threw an imaginary punch in the air. "It's all good man. Now how about you cut the cry-baby stuff and tell me what the situation is?"

"Well..." the Commander began and recounted the events leading up to his current status as prisoner. The changeling listened fairly well, although he kept interrupting with harsh comments and laughter at the Commander's obvious attempts to remain hidden. The Commander himself was sure that the changeling must have considered him below a beginner, because the fact was that even a hatchling could pull a better deception off. By the time he was finished, the changeling was on the floor laughing his dagger-like horn off.

"You sir," he choked in between gasps of breath and guffawing, " are the worst noob to ever become a changeling. Seriously, were you like put into a chrysalis or something? Cause you sure weren't born naturally son!"

Huffing to himself, the Commander replied back. "Well you didn't fare any better wise one. Obviously you couldn't handle a few fan fillies tackling your sorry behind.."

"First off," the changeling managed to exhale and scramble up to the air, so that he was a few feet above ground, " there were also stallions in that crowd. Second off, I could have taken them on if that spell didn't knock the wind out of me. Anyway, at least I lasted longer in the Canterlot campaign."

"Really now," if the Commander had eye brows, they would have been raised, " tell me all about it."

"Well," the changeling recounted, "I actually captured the elements when the fly-by squad came in- thank Chrysalis- and we brought them to her royal highness. After a while, we kicked back in lawn chairs while those noobs were getting chased by our team. There was even this funny blue stallion who kept running in circles, as if he thought that would confuse or cause his pursuers to become dizzy. And then, like out of nowhere, this purple forcefield slams into me and my mates and the next thing I know...I am falling through the air like a bird with no care in the world."

"Amazing that you survived," the Commander mused.

"Yeah well that's cause of my amazing skills you uncanny sardine," the changeling sneered, "and you're lucky I didn't go cockatrice on your behind earlier. Anyway, I wake up and realize that I'm in this whole new world right? So I disguise myself as this striking blue stallion, the one that was getting chased when I was sitting in my lawn chair. I sneak into the town and for a while, everything goes alright. I get love by being all fancy and stuff, you know, showing the ladies I'm a professional lumberjack or something. Next thing I know, everypony is congregating for this 'Daring Do' and I'm just going with the flow when I actually see her. I was never a fan of the series, too much drama, but this mare was either inspiration for the books or just a really obsessed fan. Either way the crowd goes and chases her and I just decide to go on a stroll. I come up to this retarded treehouse when a crowd blocks me. I look and see the mare again and this weird pink one shoots a hoof at me, screaming that I'm a changeling or something."

The Commander's eyes raise themselves in confusion. "How did she know?"

"Don't ask me," the changeling chided, "I just stood there dumbfounded and managed to say 'what' before all these fan-fillies double team and jump me. I get squashed and then I feel this jolt, like a boulder slamming into you as it's going 100 miles per second, except I feel no pain and just go out cold. Then I wake up screaming at you because you decided to play the old hot water prank on me."

The Commander had to chuckle at that and after a few seconds, the changeling joined him. After they were sure they would start developing stomach aches, the snickering subsided. "Why," the Commander said as he stared at the ceiling his body stretched over the floor, " I was too shocked at the pink one pointing you out that I forgot to ask you your name."

The changeling came to join him in watching the artwork of multiple splashes of rusty paint.

"Reflect Fury."

The Commander had to rise up to inspect the changeling once again. He seemed like a natural born, like the Commander, but the name was completely, if not utterly, out of place. A changeling had names like Shade, or Reflection, or even Mirror, but Reflect Fury was something that sounded alien, even to ponies.

"Where did you acquire such an unusual title Fury," he asked casually.

"The name-giver was drunk on love or something and so he thought it would be funny to give a ridiculous name to a changeling. So he named me Reflect Fury to reflect his own frustration at his job. I guess that's the best one can come up with under the circumstances."

"I actually like it," the Commander motioned, "it serves its purpose. You truly do have a hot temper for a changeling."

This causes a scowl to spread over Fury's face, his cheeks blushing a light violet-red.

"And you're one to have a weird title for a changeling who can't even get into character for at least two minutes let alone command an army!" Reflect Fury spat back.

"Fine, you got me there."

Reflect Fury got up and hovered over the lackadaisical officer, pondering exactly what he should do with him. Sure he could probably throw a couple of punches and watch as his newest neighbor cowered into a corner. But then he would get bored and talking to a guard was going to be as engrossing as talking to a tomato. At least the tomato may actually listen to him. Guess it's time to be friendly Reflect Fury considered. "You have a name besides Commander?"

"Yep," the Commander replied back, "I did have a name, but I was always referred to as "Late Bloomer" because of my inability to be a proper changeling. When I got promoted, I decided that 'Commander' was all I needed for a name."

"Well Commander," Fury pronounced sarcastically, "why don't you tell me what was going on in that tiny noggin when you thought you could save us all?"

The Commander had to glare at Fury for this comment, before he proclaimed, "Because I am the Commander and it's my job. And you can be rest assured Reflect-hot-temper- Fury, that I will not hesitate until every single one of your brothers and sisters are saved from this tyranny of an empire!"

"Bravo." Reflect Fury leisurely clapped his hands, more like slamming them against each other every half-minute. If the Commander had anything better to do, he would be reading a book, but there was no more Daring Doo to be released until next month, in which hopefully he would be back at the nest, sleeping soundly in his chambers, praised as a hero.

The changeling was still hovering when he observed the pile of books and floated towards a nearby stack to examine one of the colorful publications. He seemed slightly perturbed as his eyes moved from the cover to the Commander and back and forth, for about a good twenty-five seconds before hovering over him accusingly.

"I don't believe it, this book proves that you sir are one of those fans of Daring Doo. No offense, but I had to say that I was laughing my bottom off at those fans when they chased the poor mare across town. I mean really, its just hilarious how fed up ponies can get over such a childish story with a painted cover!"

"Excuuuuuse me," the Commander got up, "but Daring Do is one of the best ,if not the most epic, series ever written in the history of Equestria." Reflect Fury simply stood, or hovered, there, his facial expression revealing only a smirk on his lips as he gave his sarcastic remark. "Really now, because I'm pretty sure reading about a mare who goes exploring in caves all day is really worth the attention mate."

The Commander just stared at him, his face contorting into a glare as his head swelled from the increase in heat radiating from his body, his limb moving towards his forehead to facehoof himself. It was as clear as day that Fury had no clue what true literary art was, even if it slapped him square across the face. Apparently, the changeling had mind-reading abilities as his smirk disappeared.

"Oh come off it now," Reflect Fury shrugged, "I just thought it was humorous."

The Commander wanted to end his existence right there. Of all the changelings he could get stuck with, he had been bunked with the most bitter, most insensible, most hot-tempered changeling that the nest had to offer. He couldn't believe he was related to him.

Hopefully it's a distant relative the Commander silently wished.

%%%%

Thresh stood there, his hat blocking out the moonlight and dissolving his features, save for the glowing blue eyes. His three posse members were huddled by a campfire, fast assleep in the insulating wool blankets, their bowler hats in a corner and their spears all piled up in a neat stack near the middle.

If I wanted to, I could easily use my magic to pick up each of those weapons and spear them before those eyes of them flickered open. Thresh knew he would never do that, but still it was a thought that often surfaced from time to time. It was so easy to kill something, that he was surprised few ever did it. Maybe it was because the fear of getting caught and suffering the consequences kept most murderers and butchers at bay.

Not me. Thresh was one of the few who defied the law. He didn't mind getting his hooves dirty. At first, it was the risk that kept his adrenaline pumping. Then, his new-found talent became just became another monotonous task enforced upon him. But how long ago was that? A few weeks maybe. It had happened before the invasion, when the word "changeling" could only be heard of in the remote settlements that bordered the Equestrian Mountains.

He wasn't one to study his own specie's culture, but he knew enough to tell exactly who was where. The Chrysalis nest was somewhere in the badlands near Canterlot. The Seven Tribes of Morgorath in the upper region of the mountainous gorges. The Cavernous Labyrinth near the zebra territory. And many more, scattered and in hiding, throughout the kingdom. It had been Queen Chrysalis, however, who had angered the Matriarch.

He still remembered the encounter, right after he had captured the escapee in Appleloosa.

She sat on a bed of secreted resin, that bended light into oblong and odd-looking shapes. Her eyes were sapphires that stared deep into one's soul, examining its strengths, weaknesses, and of course...loyalty. She wasn't like a queen, no, for instead of a horn she had an imposing crest and her face mimicked that of a typical drone, with the exception of the elongated snout that gave a more draconic appearance.

"Queen Chrysalis has attempted to break the barrier we set up between our world and their world."

"Pardon," Thresh had said, his hooves shaking at the mere sight of her enormous frame.

"The Council has said that she has broken Rule 34..."

The changeling couldn't help but snicker for just a moment, before she arched her snake-like head, whose vibrations sent sound waves to silence his nerve cells.

"Rule 34, if you did not know," she said, her eyes showing clear annoyance at being interrupted, "is the rule that no changeling shall interfere or publicly declare an offensive course of action against the Equestrian Kingdom. Doing so will entail immediate expulsion from the Council as well as a punishment to be inflicted on the leader of said changeling."

Thresh still had a bewildered look on his face. It was more than enough for the Matriarch to see he was having trouble understanding his purpose for this meeting, which was far out in the middle of nowhere.

"Because the Queen has vanished from the face of this world, another changeling, one of high or royal status, shall act as tribute and suffer the consequences originally devised for their leader. Now the Queen had several favorites, as well as a couple who were high in status. Two Commanders appointed in times of conflict, as well as a private division educated by the Queen herself. Bring me any of these groups and you will be promoted as well as generously rewarded for your efforts."

It was a lot to take in, but it was clear on the face of everyone present that it wasn't a choice. Thresh figured it was kind enough that they had at least tried to make it sound like he had a say in this. The consequences would be brutal and unthinkable if he failed. But it wasn't him who he cared about, for Thresh was ready to die if he had to. It was his own loved ones, back at the small nest in the canyons of Appleloosa. Council members kept tabs on every nest and hive in the kingdom, and they could easily destroy it in the flash of a transformation.

"You have my word that I will find them."

After taking the oath, he was given a net, several bottles of love, and a pouch of bits as well as a dozen spears dipped in sleeping poison, enough to knock an opponent out, but not enough to give the pleasure of dying before they were tortured by the Council.

Thresh wasn't one to go on a hunt like this, but it was a hunt nonetheless. His quarry was somewhere, out there, hiding in a form or behind a rock.

The tap of a hoof let the renegade know that he could take a rest for now.

The bowler hat gave off an eerie silhouette that was lined with white. The flaming tongues licked up the bottom half of this contour outline, partially distorting the image. Thresh wondered if his fellow brother ever had the same thoughts he had. Would he kill all of them tonight? Could he not trust his own brother?

Thresh went to sleep with an iron plate tucked beneath the blanket.

%%%%

She stood across from the jail house, her hooves shaking as she forced them to move front and back, left and right, side to side. It was an uneven walk to say the least, but after a bit of controlled breathing, she managed to walk past the ruby-coated door into the reception desk.

An earth pony was busily looking over a magazine, while an armored guard, who look no older then a university student, sat on a stool, engrossed in his book.

"Excuse me," she managed to squeak. The colt darted his eyes toward her, looking around as if to make sure he was still in the right place.

"Ummm how can I help you," he said in a surly tone that indicated that wherever he had come from, he at least had been raised with some manners.

"I heard you...you had captured a couple of changelings?"

"Why of course," the guard said, though his voice stuttered for a split-second, as if he was unsure about releasing this information, "But ummm, they are kind of, you know, changelings." He was obviously at a loss of words for the moment.

"Listen," the mare elicitated in as soothing a voice as she could manage, "my friend was in that dog-pile and she thinks her sticker was left on that changeling so I just came by to..."

"Sorry," the guard interrupted abruptly," nothing was found on the prisoner. Tell your friend that whatever she is looking for is probably still out there somewhere, or with another pony."

She could feel her body temperature increase as her cheeks blushed. "Thank you, sor-sorry to waste your time."

The guard got up and the door opened by itself. "Anytime miss, and don't worry. They aren't that bad. Just a little..." He raised a hoof and made swirls near the side of his head to indicate what he thought of his newest criminals. She managed to let out a timid smile before exiting.

After some thoughtful examination, she began to wonder why she had made that smile. It wasn't like she needed it in order to act out her part. Maybe she was relieved that the Commander wasn't being tortured. Or maybe, just maybe, it was because somepony had actually thought of the changeling as being less evil then the Princesses were advertising. It was a comment that few would pay attention to. But for her, it was a big step into something she would never expect to be possible.

%%%%

"You know Commander," Reflect Fury said as he read another book, "I don't mind reading all day and stuff, but seriously, do you do anything else with your life?"

The question caught him off guard. Sure there was the occasional food fest or flinging one's arms in merry pirouette. But in all seriousness, reading was about as much of a hobby as the Commander had. The Queen may have despised his endeavors to procure more books, but she didn't mind him reading. Probably because that meant that he wasn't out in the hive, causing some mess. To promote further reading, she even gave him a boulder for a shelf to store his books, the kindest gesture he had ever seen her display for him so far. When he was in the field, he would attend plays or just sit in the local bakery, sipping an alien beverage from the jungles that was known as coffee. Then, he would go to the book store, purchase the latest edition of Daring Do, and sometimes the Adventure's of The Mysterious Mare Do Well-some comic apparently written by a fan club of the masked super hero- and spend the rest of his day strolling around, boredom leaking out from him like some broken faucet.

"Well," he began, "I mean it isn't like I have a lot of things to do nowadays..."

Reflect Fury simply fell on his bunk with a groan. He was thinking about how the Commander had nothing better to do with his life other then read...read...and well...read. When he had been raised, he was just as reckless as the Commander too. But in a different way. He actually did it on purpose. He was sure Discord had to be his father because he loved to laugh at chaos. Not the crazy, psychopathic kind mind you, but the more hilariously stupid kind.

Whenever he entered the field on a mission to bring back love, it was always about gossiping and going into competitions. He remembered one of these missions that was as clear as daylight.

He had been selected to join in a paint shootout. At the time, the disguise he bore was that of an orange pegasus. Apparently, this drove others to call him a chicken. As he would later on learned, this was just another way to call out an orange pegasus, though why was a complete mystery to him. There were two teams, whose cutie marks were covered by a red or blue blush of paint, in order to signify the colors of their flag.

Reflect Fury knew this game from years of practice when he had to act out a champion player in a mission two months ago. Of course, his natural talent greatly benefited him on top of that. As he entered through the log-pillared gates into the damp forest ahead, he felt the surge of excitement rise in him whenever he got pumped up for a match. His squad consisted fo two other ponies, a blue earth pony and a green pegasus. The two looked just as confident as he did, likely indicating that at the very least, they weren't chickens.

"You guys ready for some action?" he said as the trio headed towards red base, where they would be given sling-shots and paintballs.

"You betcha chicken," the green pegasus said, his eyes darting up in anticipation for the future events. But again with the chicken. If Reflect Fury heard someone call him a chicken again he would bash their heads together or simply taunt them for the remainder of this match.

"And what about you," he gestured to the blue earth pony, who was examining the trees. His yellow eyes seemed to be searching for something, as if at any moment an enemy could come out and snipe them. "Just paranoid." was all that came through his lips.

As the three pulled up to the base, the red-team leader began handing out the necessary equipment, stressing how crucial this victory was and that it could guarantee them a place on the championships. After the quick lecture, the thunderous roar of a cannon was all it took to get the red-marked stallions and colts dashing into the dark, forbidding woods.

Reflect Fury was going to fly up and see if he could snipe a couple of strays when a hoof hooked him into place. The green pegasus was still with the blue colt, although his hoof was stretched outward to indicate that Fury wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.

"What's the matter with you," his voice was almost at a shout," just let me go and I'll stay out of your way, deal?"

"Nope," the green pegasus said, locking his purple eyes with Fury's blue ones, "let's team up."

Fury couldn't believe this. He wanted to win and here were these two colts telling him they wanted to team up. He could already foresee these two calling out the enemy as they got shot down in a torrent of blue paint. However, he couldn't argue. Maybe they could watch his back or something like that.

"Stay behind me," Fury motioned as the three trekked over a dismal hill, hidden by the larger and more imposing trees. So far, they had heard sounds of paint colliding on rough and soft surfaces alike, but had seen no enemies. The green pegasus had wanted to fly up earlier, but his blue companion stressed that it wasn't worth it and that he would be an easy target from up top.

"Well, genius," Fury darted his eyes to the blue colt, "any ideas?"

The colt froze in place, as if the words had gotten him off guard when he thrusted his hoof over Fury's body and dragged all three into a pair of bushes. After a few seconds, a pair of enemy scouts trotted past them, sling shots at the ready.

"On the count of three." Fury hissed.

The three paint balls each found their mark and in two seconds, red paint stained the sides of each colt's coat, causing them to swear as they walked to the exit of the arena.

"Nice shooting," Fury looked at his two companions differently. They weren't as bad as he had thought. For a second, he had been sure they would be like his last team, who had, when the enemy shot back, trampled him and left him to get shot in places that no stallion should get shot in. "What's your names anyway?"

"Green Dasher and my blue friend here is Pristine Creek," the green pegasus said under his breath.

"Mine's Scott," Fury uttered back, as he tentatively crawled out of the bushes, "the coast looks clear, let's go and get that flag."

___________________

The sky was filled with an oddly placed rainbow, whose arches seemingly connected the two bases. The game had been going on for two hours and in that time, Fury's squad had shot down two more patrols and were less then a mile from the blue base. From the tranquility the forest was giving off now, the group assumed that the game had come to a halt.

"Okay," Fury began, taking a stick and drawing in the soft, dry dirt, "we can move up across this here creek and just take the flag. Green Dasher, your'e the fastest out of all of us and would be the most capable in getting the flag. Once you reach the clearing, Creek here will cover you with the long-distance slingshot. I will be your wingman as we make it to the meeting point. Any questions?"

"Yeah," Pristine rose a hoof, "the enemy could be here and here, since the probability is likely that they'll be near water to wade out the storm. I say that the course of action should involve all three of us moving up the hill and going around the stream to get the flag, going behind them instead of a full-out offensive play."

Both Dasher and Fury nodded in agreement. "It's settled then."

The two pegasi made their way behind the concrete box with blue stripes, the flag waving flowing gently in the breeze. With a deep breath, and a spurt of his wings, Green Dasher swept the flag up in his hooves, the sound barely audible with the breeze. As the two headed back, the could see Pristine Creek already hiking up the clearing, sling-shot cocked back incase any adversary decided to stumble upon them.

As the trio met in the hollowed-out oak tree that was the meeting place, there was a loud crash and a roar of voices as the blue team realized that their flag was missing. The trio carefully stuck to the side of the arena, sliding in the opposite direction of snapping of twigs and hiding over a hill whenever patrols rushed by. After twenty excruciating minutes, the flag of red base stood majestically up on her pole. Ten stallions stood in a ten-yard radius around her, their eyes scanning for any sign of blue activity.

"Friendlies," Fury shouted as the trio dashed out fo the woods and through the field. There was a chorus of cheers as the blue flag was placed side by side with their own. The gong sounded to indicate the game was finally over.

"You guys did awesome," Fury high-hoofed both of his comrades as they drank cider under a beautiful sunset.

"Remember when that blue guy thought Creek here was on his team, until he showed him the red paint and shot him square in the chest," Green Dasher was howling with laughter. In fact, all three of them were cackling in joy at their well-deserved victory.

"Well, I gotta go now guys," Fury said as he got up.

"Same here," Green Dasher and Creek got up to shake the hoof of their newest ally. "It was nice meeting you Scott."

____________

The examination room in the nest was a temporary addition in order to make sure that each changeling that went through was actually a changeling. It seemed odd to doubt that anypony who came here wasn't a changeling in disguise, but in the past, poachers had used this false sense of trust to sneak into the hive and cause all sorts of damage. Now changelings could just turn forms, but a new spell had been discovered to make ponies morph into changelings, allowing them to plant themselves inside, sending out information on future missions and battles.

Reflect stood there in line, his orange form shivering as a gust of wind rolled down a cliff. The chill sent a bunch of changelings chattering in their adopted voices about protocol. That was when he heard it. The familiar pair of sounds that had elaborated a master assault just a few hours ago.

"Green Dasher!, Pristine Creek!" Fury shot his hooves up so that the two huddling equines could see them. The look on their faces were just as bewildered as his was when he heard their accents.

"Scott, your'e a changeling?" Green looked at the orange pegasus from the hooves to the mane.

"And you two!" Fury gestured his arms out, "You two are changelings as well? This...this is too much for me to take in."

"Touche." Pristine Creek replied calmly.

"So," Reflect Fury looked around, "since this line ain't going to get faster, mind telling me your real names?"

"Zeth," Green Dasher proclaimed, "and Pristine's real name is Vapor Torrent."

"Reflect Fury, and might I add that your names are just as weird as mine."

This caused all three to once again cackle madly. But not like they did before, in the cider pub. This laughter was real and truthful. It was a laughter to be shared for many great months to come. It turned out that Vapor and Zeth had met in class and had become friends ever since. As time progressed, Fury, Vapor, and Zeth made it their duty to help each other out. They shared adventures and mishaps, and paint shootouts whenever they could. But then came the invasion.

Reflect and his mates had captured the six mares who had tried to take the Elements of Harmony. Taking the rest of the day off, they relaxed under a beautiful sun.

"You know what?" Zeth said as the trio basked in the glory of the conquest, "let's make an oath to never separate, no matter what."

"Already there good sir," Vapor called out as he looked over a magazine detailing high tech gizmos in Equestria.

"Well do it tomorrow Zeth," Reflect Fury sipped on a cup of lemonade. And that was when it happened.

A blast of light.

A purple forcefield.

And Fury flailing his hooves, trying to grab onto his friends as they soared farther and farther from his reach, towards Chrysalis knows where

Reflect Fury sighed inwardly as he laid on his cot, his mind tired from reliving that one terrible moment of separation. If he could, he would have made that oath right then and there. But you can't change the past. Wherever those two weirdos were, they weren't here. Reflect Fury didn't want to think of what could be happening to them right now.

It would only make him cry, and he couldn't do that, not even if his leader bawled his eyes out.

%%%%

The Commander sat in his bunk, re-reading the series he had so often come to know and love. He wondered what was going on out there, in the wilderness. Were there changelings trying to find their way home. Changelings who didn't have the pleasure of just being accepted. Changelings fighting for their lives. Changelings getting tossed into dungeons. Changelings disguising themselves in order to stay hidden, having to make up stories on the spot. Changelings who were unsure who was who, unable to trust a fellow member to have their back. Did Reflect Fury have someone to watch his back. And what of his friends?

The Commander didn't need to imagine that right now, his battalion was slowly tearing itself apart. And he couldn't do a thing about it.

Another reference to an amazing fan-fic out there. I'm sure by now all of you know which one it is. A bit rushed, but this may be the last chapter for now as the next week is considerably busy. Take care for now though :) and comment at the bottom when you reach this message!

Edit: http://www.fimfiction.net/story/23224/Smoke-and-Mirrors

For the answer as to the story this chapter is dedicated to, it is Smoke and Mirrors by TeaPartyCannon.

A really great read that I would recommend.

Baking and other fine hobbies...

"Hey, hey you there," Reflect called out, his hooves leaning over the grating.

The colt lifted his head from the pages of his book, a look of irritation painted over his neatly groomed face. This was the second time the changeling had called for him. Under normal circumstances, the colt would have simply gotten a club and smacked the creature silly. But alas, it would likely earn the guard a suspension and cut in his salary.

"What do you need," the guard uttered gruffly, his voice surprisingly under control.

Reflect grinned from under the bars, his fangs glinting in the feeble lamp set aside in the corner of the cramped lobby. "I'm starving here and I was wondering if you had any love nearby."

If Clyde was here, he would probably just swing the door open, beat the creature inside to a pulp, close the door, and resume doing...well...whatever it was Clyde did. However, Clyde was busy doing patrol in the Everfree with the local guards stationed from Canterlot. Celestia knows he's dying for some action the colt thought grimly. After heaving a sigh, he promised the prisoner he would see what he could do.

Mags was still reading her pamphlet as the guard trotted past, unaware of anything but the words staring her right in the eyes. She had been in this diminutive establishment the longest, even before Clyde arrived. Not much was known about her, other then the stitched name tag that displayed her name and the wooden sign at the top of the desk that read her occupation in faded, white letters.

"Going to get some food for our "guests" Mags," the colt called out. Sure enough, Mags, paid no heed to his comment.

You wonder what goes on in her head the colt thought with an equally irritated scowl. He walked out into the cold, brisk air of a bustling night. Here and there, ponies were pushing past each other to reach the refuge that their cozy homes provided. Warm fireplaces, steaming cups of coca, and the lemonade laying discarded on a painted counter. This was summer after all, but still, the air felt as frigid and lifeless as death itself.

The guard marched through the gusts of wind, the gingerbread house rising above like a lighthouse beacon, beckoning ships to come and dock. Opening the door, the guard felt the heat radiate over his body, melting the cold's grasp on his coat like butter. And there, buzzing over a counter, was no pony other then Pinkie Pie.

The frizzy mane was still as energetic as the rest of the demeanor that the pony displayed. Looking around him, he could see that, other then the few patrons that came everyday, the bakery was relatively peaceful at the moment. Apparently, few had dared to brace the wind in order to tantalize their taste buds with some nice, freshly-baked concotions.

"Hey there Miss Pie," the colt said in a surly voice.

The pink pony gave off a grin as wide as a barn and as shiny as a new sword. "Hi there, what brings a guard like you to Sugarcube Corner?"

"Just needed to pick up a few pastries and whatever you have that's under fifteen bits or less," the guard said, his mouth fighting the wave of saliva that threatened to spill at the sight of all those beautiful, scrumptious cakes, pies, and donuts.

"Sure," the pink pony picked a random assortment from the display and tossed the bag gingerly by the counter. "That should be ten bits and I'm sure you could feed everyone at the station with that amount!"

"Much appreciated Miss. Pie," the guard dropped ten bits on the counter, and put the other five into a jar brimming in gold. The mare smiled once more and waved a good night to the colt as he braced himself for the uncoming onslaught ahead.

The wind felt like billions of needles puncturing his skin, but eventually he made it to the yellow-bricked structure that was the jail. Clyde had always wanted to improve upon the design, hoping that one day the mayor would take notice that making the jail look so cozy gave off the wrong impression on adolescents.

Guess he'll have to deal with it until he finally decides to retire.

%%%%

The Commander laid in his cot, bored out of his mind as he stared at the ceiling,. Reflect was somewhere else, apparently using his pillow as a punching bag, before eventually plopping down on the mattress, his snores audible throughout the entire room. He couldn't help but wonder how there were changelings like him and Reflect. Most changelings would be devoting their loyalty to the queen, become experts at their trade, and work for the benefit of the hive. Yet, there were always those synthetic changelings that were rebellious at first, but then again they were once something else in the past. The Commander had always been a changeling, right from his initial birth, and yet there were some synthetic changelings that easily outdid him in everything.

What skills did he have? Athletics. Pfft. I would always hide from the ball. Language. Oh my gosh the best I can say is hello to Griffins, and that'll just get me killed. Problem solving. Why solve it when you can just flee. Combat. Swish Swish Stab Stab. Oh, what about intelligence. I'm pretty sure they took pity on my grade before giving it to me.

All his life, he had been a disgrace to his own people. His own swarm. His own queen. His only family. It was funny how he thought about all this while looking up at a ceiling in a jail cell. As if it held the answers to his problems. Well, it at least got him thinking.

The dull thud of the door stirred the sleeping Reflect awake, his eyes scanning the dungeon for the source of the noise.With a yawn, the changeling flew over to the grating at the door, where the stern face of the colt appeared, a brown paper bag tucked tightly in his mouth.

"What's this?" Reflect Fury called out groggily. His stomach made an involuntary growl as he stared at the guard, as if he was expecting some sort of delivery. The guard, however, merely shrugged and slid the bag in.

"It's dinner, made with the finest love you'll ever find in Ponyville."

It might as well have been prison food as the changeling's eyes retorted to a scowl. Reflect knew very well what food was, and he was expecting it the moment that guard walked up to him. The fact that he had the nerve to just bring simple, petty pastries made his blood boil. "Are you an idiot or are you making a special effort today? Because I don't know about you, but I am pretty furious right about now." The guard merely shrugged and continued to walk on.

"You carrot-loving-filly-of-a-Kangarrrrrooooooo!" he howled.

The guard merely closed the grating and trotted off, leaving the changeling to spit and utter a volley of swears in every language he knew, including some taught to him by a rabbit. Eventually, Reflect saw that his words were having little to no effect on the colt. He slumped to the floor, his eyes looking dismal as the wind howled over the roof, scraping it with each passing blow.

"Hey Commander," he said as he nudged his leader, "Did you like, develop a pony stomach or something?"

"No," the Commander muttered irritably, his book now on his chest as he eyed his fellow roommate, "I just feel too bored to do anything of substantial value."

"Well great, because we're all going to starve pretty soon and before we do, I am going to bash your head against the wall until I manage to knock some sense in that skull of yours"

The Commander merely went back to reading his book, the cover covering his face. He was re-reading the key moment where Daring Do was being chased by a group of bandits on the Pony Express. And just at the pinnacle moment, Reflect had to find a way to make small talk.

"Say," he mused thoughtfully, "Why don't you tell me about the high caste system eh?"

The Commander gulped, for he knew next to nothing about this. It was a truth he didn't like to admit, for he had technically been to an orientation party after his sudden promotion. In fact, there was one changeling that he remembered crystal clear...

The General was in deep discussion with him, the green chandelier above giving off an eerie mist that clung to the ground and slithered in and out of the holes of their hooves. The newly-appointed Commander was standing stiff, his eyes wandering to and fro as another changeling adorning identical armor came up to him.

"Enjoying yourself...Commander," the other changeling uttered, his voice hanging onto the last word as if it was inconceivable.

"Ahhh yes,...General, was it Iron?" The Commander had been introduced to so many chiefs he had nearly forgotten all their names. The General merely seemed to raise an eye, his mouth holding in whatever sentence he was going to say next.

"It's General Carbon," he replied, a hint of malice in his voice, "Not like I told you the last twenty times."

"Oh come off it General, I think your name is rather...interesting." The Commander was trying hard to stifle the giggle threatening to erupt from his larynx. The truth was that he found the idea of a General named Carbon to be so utterly ridiculous that it was almost amusing.

"One of these days, Commander, one of these days..." General Carbon muttered under his breath as he stomped off towards another group, leaving the changeling to laugh his bottom off.

As the "party" continued, a changeling wearing emerald shades hopped onto a pedestal and with a green poof of the odd mist, there was a column of gargantuan speakers, fashioned to resemble the stalactites commonly found in the hive. Although, this was quite...well...oversized.

There was a chorus of cheers as changelings took off with their wings fluttering like moths on a pleasant warm evening. They twisted and turned, performing aerobatic maneuvers in split-second intervals, their hearts pumping in sync with the fast-paced rhythm of the music.

The Commander merely watched from his position, his eyes lingering on each twirl and spin. That was when he felt a hoof on his shoulder. Swiveling his head, he saw before him a relatively minute changeling, her head barely reaching his chest. Her eyes were large, yet mysterious, as if the icy complexion was a blanket, with every secret snuggled in-between. Her expression was curious, as if not quite sure of what to make of this character before her.

"Hello there, I am the newly-appointed...Commander?" The Commander felt as if the words he was about to say were somehow, yet, unquestionably, lost in the depths of his subconscious. Her gaze was calming, with a hint of lethality that could be set off at any moment.

"I've heard of you before, Commander," the changeling chirped, though her stare spoke of suspicion, "you seem...well...different."

After what seemed like an hour, the changeling sighed inwardly as she lifted her hoof to take his in. "How about a dance? It seems like all the joint-chiefs here are taking a break from their duties."

The Commander managed to croak an 'ok' before he was entrapped in her hooves, their wings fluttering up to the green chandelier. To say she didn't know dance was to say the Commander could memorize every changeling's names well before they actually talked to him. She was extravagant, her hooves moving with no thought of stopping to rest. The Commander could only grasp feebly to her shell as they twisted into the air, each delicate move setting off a nerve in his body.

"You haven't danced before, have you Commander?" she said as they spun in a 360 degree twirl.

He was at a lost of words as his whole body became entranced by her stare. "I...I don't pay much attention to those sort of things. Was never really...ummmm...good at it."

Apparently these words set off a muscle contraction on the changeling's lips, forming a gentle smile. She grabbed onto his fore hooves, the flow of movement now halted abruptly as she began to slowly move her hooves to the base of the music. "Simply, follow this and move your hooves in accordance Commander." She gestured with her own. The Commander attempted, but his limbs merely tied themselves together. The changeling merely laughed and asked him to try it again. In the end, he still didn't get it, his hooves tripping other leaders or even his own partner. But after a while, he began to experiment and create his own moves, much to the amusement of the changeling.

The dance continued for another hour or so before it subsided in a soft hum. The joint-chiefs hissed approvingly at the musician, complementing him on his melodies and radical upbeats. The Commander merely settled down on the floor, his partner landing with a soft thud.

"Dancing isn't for anyone, but I wouldn't say you did too terrible," she chirped. It was amazing how she could do that.

The Commander still felt his hooves shaking, as if he couldn't quite control it yet. The truth was that he didn't know what to expect. He had never gotten to meet other changelings, due to him being an outcast and all. I wasn't that he was physically, or notably, different. He had been born with good health, but somehow, his behavior was just...abnormal in sorts. His inability to learn new skills and his terrible puns usually got him stuck with the outcasts, who either ended up in special care or just vanished. The fact that any changeling would try to sound nice to him was enough to make him believe he had been kidnapped and transferred to a different dimension. "I can't thank you enough for the lesson."

"I'm glad I could help," she said warmly, "well I guess I should let you meet the rest of the staff. You will of course, need to talk to the joint chiefs and so forth with the other ranks."

"Ummmm right." The Commander still couldn't fit the changeling before him to all the burly, muscular specimens around him.

"May I ask how a changeling like yourself ended up in a party for the high command?" he asked timidly.

She merely chuckled, her wings folding protectively against her carapace. "That's quite simple Commander, I'm the High-General, glad you enjoyed the party." And with his mouth gaping, he watched as the High General trotted off down a chamber.

From then on, however, he rarely saw her during the pre-invasion set-up. Whenever he asked as to the whereabouts of the said changeling, they would only murmur something about "being busy on another mission." He could only gaze up from the little hole in his new chamber to gaze at the stars dreamily, picturing heroic moments yet to come and the glory that he would receive towards the end of this invasion.

The Commander had been day-dreaming, or just dreaming since it was night, when Reflect slapped the bag in front of his face. Swearing under his breath, the Commander glared at him with a look of pure malice. The changeling simply repeated his question.

"What do you know about the higher caste system?"

"About as much as you do." he admitted, shielding his reddened face from the gaping roommate before him.

"HOW CAN YOU BE A COMMANDER AND NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE MILITARY!" Reflect shouted," YOU'RE BASICALLY SECOND IN COMMAND YOU IDIOT!"

"Well the Queen didn't exactly teach me strategy when I was promoted you know," the Commander argued, "I didn't even get to meet the other chiefs and what-not."

"And she..." Reflect trailed off as he pondered what this meant. "Does this mean she hated everyone under your command too?"

"No," the Commander assured, " I think she wanted just one changeling to die in that invasion and that was me."

"Why would she do that?"

"Cause I am as much a mutant as those hatchlings you see disappear at night. I'm just a....just a...." He couldn't find the words for what he was. How could any changeling or pony find the words to describe him. "...I'm just...different."

Reflect's mouth to drooped over, as if it was unsure of what would be the proper answer or reply to this. The truth was that he had seen a mutant before, some with no wings and some with no horn and some with no legs. They were imperfect by changeling standards, but out of all those, he only saw a few ever actually make it to adulthood. Where the other changelings are...it was up to each changeling's imagination.

Upon seeing Fury's blank stare, the Commander went back to reading his book. At least in books, the good guys always won. Well, was he a good guy? The Commander would like to think so, but in reality...was it really a conquest to be proud of? He liked to think so, but sometimes he wondered whether or not the hive was becoming desperate. Maybe it was better that he was in a cell instead of out there, having to live his life with a disguise.

That was when he heard the burp. Arching his head, he turned to see Reflect Fury leaning on a wall, the crumbs of a devoured cream-filled pastry occupying his lips.

"Why, what in the name of all that is good are you doing Reflect?" the Commander called out, is eyes wide at the changeling's turn of behavior.

"Just eating Commander," the changeling burped, "dear Chrysalis, this stuff is good, why hadn't I tried this before? It's...filling."

"Give me that," the Commander snatched one of the cream-filled treats from the bag and chewed. Instantly, he was filled with the warm filling of love, mixed with the exotic taste of the pastry. To say it was like eating a bite of paradise was clearly an understatement. The Commander could only plop on his stomach. the pastry had sent a rush of energy into his body, and he was sure he would fall into a coma if he ate anymore.

For about an hour, the two roommates simply sat in their respective postions, taking in the aroma still wafting from the bag. The Commander slowly rose out of his trance, nudging his partner.

"What?" Reflect called out dreamily.

"I think I'm in love with food." The Commander began to giggle, and soon the two of them cackled madly, to the point where they began to cough. All the colt could do is sigh from his stool as he continued with his book. I get them food and this is how they repay me? Who knew that the saying "baked with lots of love" would actually have a literal meaning to it!

"You know, Commander," Reflect said, "I think I like you."

The Commander had his tongue out, his mouth panting like a dog out of water. The colors on the ceiling were forming rainbows, even a triple rainbow, over his head, as cats with the bodies of pastries, farted those said rainbows. To say it was disturbing was a complement.

"What?" the Commander finally called out, his eyes still glued onto the ceiling.

"I said I like you Commando Annoying.You may be a queer, but hey, your'e not half bad. You got something that I don't have. What's it called...nerve....no.....I don't know but whatever it is, it makes you stand out." Reflect went back to staring at the same, rainbow-covered, ceiling ahead, not much willing to do anything else at the moment. The rainbows were now forming long bands, and soon those bands divided into multiple bands.

"Double rainbow..." Reflect called out, his eyes widening as the rainbows continued to multiply.

"All the way..." the Commander replied. He could see felines shoot across the sky like rockets, their bodies composed of the sweet pastry and their exhausts shooting out more rainbows. Soon he saw other creatures, and...random sayings popped up into his mind. He saw the Princess who had convicted him a day earlier, except that her face was contorted, giving off a sly grin that made his brain sizzle in hatred.

"You Trollestia..." he tried to yell, but it came out as a whisper. The face, however, morphed back into the Princess's normally regal stature, although the apparent difference was that she was eyeing him like a cup of irresistible tea. Then she bended down so that they were eye to eye, before giving off a grin. "Gotcha."

"Nooooooooooo..." he wailed as he, and apparently Reflect too, latched onto each other.

The horrors didn't end there. Both changeling watched in horror as odd shapes and pictures appeared before them, showing ponies turning into trees, and weird, two legged monsters landing in fields and homes, with knowledge about...well...everything there is to know about Equestria.

There were romances playing before them, showing mares with mares, and as much as they wanted it to stop, both the Commander and Reflect Fury were forced to watch all of it. It was...torturous to say the least.

Then they got to the part where the word "Cupcakes" was repeated over and over again. And a pink pony in an odd costume walked in, a chisel in one hoof and a saw in another, her hair straight as she chanted the words again and again. All the two changelings could do was hold tightly onto each other, their eyes shut.

"Make it stop! Make it stop!" Reflect was on the verge of tears.

"She's gonna eat you!" the Commander cried, "and then she's gonna to eat me! OH MY SWAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRMMMMM!!!"

The pink pony continued her trot to their position when there was a flash of light and everything, including the dungeon, were replaced by a landscape of towering columns of steel. A little brown box stood discarded on a large, grey sidewalk. One of the two legged creatures came over, opened the box, and pulled out a rainbow-maned filly that the Commander instantly recognized as the Element of Loyalty.

They watched all 15 years pass by, and towards the end, they were on the verge of bawling their heads off. They saw stories of change and of redemption. There was even one with Queen Chrysalis herself.

And then, the light flashed them back to the dungeon, where even now, the rainbows were fading. Eventually, both changelings felt there eyes grow heavy, and soon, the sounds of snoring kept the repulsive spiders at bay.

%%%%

Thresh stood at the edge of a cliff, his fedora tucked gently to his side. A breeze was blowing against the tide, its soft, gentle movements animating the stiff, rigid grass and tea-leaf trees. His eyes wandered among the hills below, the tiny town ahead twinkling like a fallen star. The rustle of the leaves was enough to alert him of her presence.

"A bit early for a changeling who wants to suffer for the hive..." he warned the intruder.

"I figured she would send you Thresh, you were always the best at this type of job," a soft voice said casually.

Thresh raised a brow, "Why'd you come here?"

"My associate found your little gang hiding here in the bushes."

Thresh merely chuckled, knowing exactly how these changelings worked. "Then I suppose a changeling whose up there like yourself should know the price on all your little heads."

This seemed to follow with a long pause that stretched until the sky above was tinted with a violet-red, the pink clouds floating like cotton candy in the distance. It was soothing, relaxing almost to say the least. Already, the town below was as illuminated as a fallen stone.

"Maybe you would rather keep your slander to yourself."

"And maybe you would rather mind your own business."

"You know what I can offer you." Her voice was just so calm, it was now causing Thresh's ears to twitch.

"Alright then High General," Thresh began in his own casual tone, "whose the lucky guy?"

%%%%

With a yawn, the colt woke up to find both changelings fast asleep, their snores bouncing off the walls. It was amusing to watch after a while. From here, they seemed almost...like two best friends after a party. Once again the colt wondered if it was really that bad. He didn't like to think so, but the more and more he thought about it, the less and less he despised his prisoners.

The Commander awoke with a yawn, finding the hallucinations of the past to be long gone. With a sigh of relief, he nudged his partner awake. This was clearly the worst move he could do as Reflect Fury awoke with a stare, leaping into the air and nearly karate-chopping the Commander. After about a second of realization that he was back in reality, the changeling breathed a sigh of relief.

"Well I feel completely rejuvenated," Reflect said as he leaned over a wall, taking in the beam of sunlight.

"Looks like we can get back to..." but the Commander's voice trailed off. What was there to do? He had finished the Daring Doo books that he missed, and re-reading all the old ones wouldn't be the same. He supposed he could try making small talk with Reflect Fury, but that would likely end in disaster rather then success.

That was when he heard the sound of the door creaking, and the sing-song voice of a pony vibrating around the room. Another voice also permeated from the room, one that was soft and gentle. Both were barely audible through the door, but somehow, they sounded familiar.

That was when the realization hit him as his eyes widened in fear. Celestia was about to unleash her punishment.

%%%%

"Ummm excuse me, but if it's ok to ask, is-is he awake?" Fluttershy asked timidly, her eyes darting from Pinkie's smile to the grimace on the guard's face. It was only for a second though, as the solemn posture was morphed into a playful grin. Fluttershy felt relief pour through her as the guard she recognized from Sugarcube Corner led them to the cell.

"Of course, I think I heard them yawning so they should be ready for the day."

She and Pinkie had been assigned to try and teach the strange changeling some manners and well...friendship. Already, the thoughts of the changeling sleeping in her cottage, a wanted fugitive, created a minor headache over her head. She knew that changeling was nice, but she wasn't so sure about this one. He had seemed rather rude, but not too evil. She was glad Pinkie was here to do most of the talking.

"Can we have some alone time with Mr. Grumpypants?" Pinkie asked the guard in her sing-song voice.

"Certainly Ms. Pie." the guard replied with a courteous nod before he stepped out through the red doors outside. Mags rose out of her seat, the dust that had collected over the centuries landing on the floor. There was the sound of the bathroom door closing and now...the two mares had the entire dungeon to themselves. But before they even managed to make a second step, the colt's head slipped in through the front door.

"Be careful though," he warned, "I think they got some sort of animal overdoes off those treats I bought last night."

"Oki Doki Loki," Pinkie chimed in her sing-song tone.

"Ummmm...do we just...ummm...go in?" Fluttershy looked at the door and felt a rush reach her heart. This was getting unbearable.

"Yeah, just right in, I will make sure that they don't try any funny business." and with that the guard slipped back out the door.

With a deep breath, both she and Pinkie made their way to the wooden door. Anticipation flooded Fluttershy's mind. What if the changeling wasn't like Mirror? What if he was one of the meaner types. He had seemed pretty awful during the short trial. Come to think of it, he was technically the first changeling to ever be captured and imprisoned. Maybe Mirror may have even know him. She would ask her later. With a heave of her chest, she and Pinkie opened the door.

%%%%

For a moment, the two parties just stared at each other. Reflect was the first to speak. This would evidently be a big mistake, as Reflect Fury was about the last changeling you would ever want to have as an opening speaker.

"I know you two," he said suspiciously, "your'e the..." and his eyes widened in bewilderment. "You two were part of that gang that beat us to a pulp back in Canterlot!"

With a flurry of speed, the changeling raced towards the group, his hooves set into attack position. However, a blue flash of light appeared the moment the changeling was within a few inches. And in the next instant, the changeling was flying backwards, into a wall.

"Reflect!" the Commander shouted as he ran to the aid of his fellow roommate. With a groan, Reflect rose back up on all fours, ready to pounce when the Commander stood in front of him. With a grunt, he tried the other way, but the Commander simply moved in front of him once more.

"What's your problem?" he growled at the armored brother before him.

"They're here because of my punishment," the Commander clarified, "and on top of that, we have no right to start causing a fight. They surely haven't raised any hooves at us have they?"

This gets Reflect to think about it for a while, before just giving a hiss of disapproval, mumbling something about the Commander being weird and brainwashed. With a sigh, the Commander turned to face the pair with an apologetic smile. "Terribly sorry about that, Reflect and I....have had some difficulty adjusting to our present conditions. He was ,after all, hiding from..."

"You!" Reflect Fury pointed a hoof towards the pink pony with the frizzy mane, " You're the one who pointed me out back at the library!" However, his scowl soon turned to bewilderment. "How...How did you know?"

The pink pony merely giggled before explaining. "I didn't know, I am really-super-uber-sorry about that by the way. You did a good job disguising yourself, but...well...I needed a distraction and I just happened to point my pinkie hoof at you Mr. Grumpypants."

"Figures..." Reflect muttered under his breath.

With a sigh, he managed to squeak his own apology for the events that took place earlier, although the Commander wondered if that was in all essence true. He knew Reflect too well to know that this changeling rarely apologized for anything.

"Sooooooo..." the Commander mused, "I'm guessing your'e all here to teach me a lesson on friendship or something like that?"

"Yep," the pink pony pronounced, "and by the way, my name's Pinkie Pie and this is my good quiet-never-hurt-a-fly friend Fluttershy!"

"Nice to meet you," the Commander extended his hoof. Surprisingly, both ponies didn't hesitate. Their eyes were warm and welcoming, a major difference from the night when he had to face them during his trial. And how long ago was that? The Commander couldn't recall. For all he knew, it was a week ago.

"So, let's teach you how to live with ponies!" Pinkie Pie bounced up and down in genuine excitement.

"And how are you going to do that?" the Commander asked.

"By taking you out to Ponyville of course! You and that Grumpypants right there can help me bake in Sugarcube Corner! Oh it's going to be so much fun! I'm going to have a party all set up later on and I want to make sure its the best-super-most-scrumptious party ever!"

Reflect's jaw dropped open and the Commander was sure he had nearly fainted. These two were taking him out of prison! Literally! Why, the thought of being away from all these nasty spiders was enough to get him in a jubilant dance, that was rather terrible in the eyes of Reflect Fury, who didn't hesitate to call him out.

"Well," the Commander said, his voice filled with the fervor of freedom, "let's get started shall we?"

%%%%

The colt flanking their side, the two changelings trotted to the bakery in broad daylight, drawing heads and causing a few outcries to surface. But other then the occasional dirty look given to them, the day was splendid and both changelings just took in the sun. It was warm as the breeze blew through their shells, massaging their outer surfaces and taking away whatever ailments plagued them.

Since he was in a good mood, the Commander decided to make small talk with the yellow pegasus who had been quiet for the duration of the trip.

"What's your talent?" the Commander asked, "if, of course, you don't mind my asking."

Fluttershy gave the tiniest of smiles. The Commander wasn't that bad of a changeling. Sure, he seemed mean at first, but he did defend her and Pinkie Pie. Maybe he just had good and bad moments. A lot of the animals in her cottage did.

"Oh no Mr. Commander, I don't mind at all. I just ummmm, take care of the creatures in Everfree forest."

"Well that's nice, maybe we could visit your cottage, I've always wanted to see the other indigenous life forms in this region. The Queen never let me though."

"Oh ummmm, actually, it's kinda of crowded..." Fluttershy dropped her head. What was she thinking?

"Oh okay, well can't ask for too much with this colt around..." he gestured his head to the guard escorting them.

She didn't know why, but the tone of his voice and the way he said it caused her to give off a tiny chuckle. Maybe, sometime in the future, she would let him visit her cottage. But she would need to clear it with Mirror first. After all, it could end in disaster if the leader of the invasion found out that she was hiding one of his own from him.

The sun was high over the sky, its beams dancing off buildings and trees. The cottages reflected these beams with their vibrant patterns and shades of blue, green, orange, and red. A chestnut-colored gingerbread house loomed over the corner and the party trudged right in.

"Okay," Pinkie began, her voice taking on a more serious tone when they got inside, "I need Commander and Reflect to go and take care of the cupcakes. Fluttershy and me will handle the cake. And..." she gestured to the colt.

"And I will stand in front of the entrance, making sure no one enters or disturbs the recreational baking period for Prisoner 1 and Prisoner -1," the guard replied in a stern voice, though he couldn't manage to keep a straight face all the way through.

"Alrighty, let's get baking!"

Before the two changelings, was a counter organized with silver pots, trays, bags of flour, and a cook book laid neatly on a shelf, the page already opened to a mouth-watering cupcake recipe. Shedding off his armor, the Commander tied an apron behind his back.

"Your'e seriously going to wear an apron?" Reflect asked.

"Yes, and you should too," the Commander stated as he donned a white chef's hat.

Reflect merely shrugged, declared that he wasn't a sissy, and grabbed a pot and spoon to begin stirring the batter. The Commander grabbed a bucket of water and pulled out a bag of sugar from the cupboard. As the two prepared, they could already see Pinkie Pie bouncing around her side of the kitchen, singing something that had to deal with a recipe as she stirred there and mixed two eggs here.

"Well," the Commander said, his hooves rubbing against each other in anticipation, "let the baking...commence!"

%%%%

Changelings were never bakers in the hive, for they had no need of the skill other then for a cover. So, when Reflect and the Commander were forced to work together, the results turned...rather disastrous.

"What do you mean I don't put salt here," Reflect shouted, "it says it right here under the cook book!"

"That's the recipe for salted peanuts you dimwit!" the Commander spat back.

In a few seconds, pots, pans, and batter covered the surface of every cabinet and counter, the cook book now lost in the mess. The Commander's clothing was becoming stained

"I'm pretty sure it said to stir until the batter is smooth," Reflect said, his hooves tapping as he tried to remember what the book had instructed.

"Smooth? Have you seen the bowl?" the Commander gestured to the bubbling, blob of dough now resting in the once spotless pot.

-----------

Reflect was punching the eggs to cinders, much to the dismay of the chocolate covered Commander.

"You're suppose to beat the eggs with an eggbeater, "the Commander howled, "not actually beat it with your buckin' hooves!"

"Well I'm sorry," Fury hissed sarcastically, "but the book didn't exactly divulge that information in the FIRST PLACE!"

The batter finally looking fairly normal, the changelings filled the tray and placed it in the oven.

"What was the time they said again?" the Commander inquired.

"I think they said we need to turn the heat up by 20% and let it run for 300 minutes." Reflect responded.

Setting the dial, the changelings waited for 300 minutes, only for the oven to explode in a gooey mess of rainbow colored batter. However, the cook book was revealed under a set of dishes and after re-reading the recipe, the two found out that it was actually 30 minutes and that the dial had to be set to 20% cooler.

"Well that's just great!" Reflect thrashed his limbs in the air. After about a minute of swearing, the changeling fell to the floor, his hope drained out from his body. "This is pointless." he hissed under his breath.

"Oh get up you pitiful sack of flower-encrusted cocoon," the Commander spat.

Reflect instant jumped back in shock. In all his time with the changeling, he had never heard the Commander swear before. Well, if the Commander wasn't willing to give up, then he wouldn't either. His eyes now set on the goal of making the best cupcakes this side of Equestria, he gestured to his leader.

"Where's that extra apron, Commander?"

Pinkie squealed in delight at the steaming trays of chocolate-covered cupcakes. Their symmetry was spot on and their surface was smooth, to the point where it almost looked like you could see yourself in them. However, the same couldn't be said about the changelings.

The Commander was covered horn to hoof in chocolate, and Reflect Fury had burnt singes on his side, his chef's hat sizzling at the top. However, despite their rather disheveled appearance, the two changeling's wore a look of pride on their faces. To her, the smiles on their faces was enough to say that her job here with them was done.

"These cupcakes look marvelous!' she said.

"And they tase marvelous too," Reflect added. He had been doubtful to tasting any of Pinkie's treats, but it turned out that cupcakes, along with a few other goodies, were actually unable to produce hallucinogens that could have profound effects on changelings. The guard had walked in during all this to sniff the aroma, his mouth beginning to drool uncontrollably.

"Mind if I take some samples?" he asked.

"Why certainly!" the pink pony held out a tray as the colt collected a bag to store his treasure.Staring inside, it was as if his face was alighted by the sun.

(Click here and read with background)%%%%(For the moment...)

Both changelings left Sugarcube with newfound energy. The cupcakes were just as major an energy booster as the pastries. As they trotted back to the prison, Reflect gave the Commander a high-hoof.

"That's for teaching them how to bake changeling style," Reflect said, "You may just have it in you to be a captain. Maybe...just maybe though."

The Commander laughed and gave his fellow brother a nudge in the side. They went with this antics as the sun settled over the horizon. It was, for once, a good day to say the least. A day where there was fewer arguments and where they had found something to do. The brown dirt rising with each step. The majestic mountains casting off their shadows on distant plains. The sound of fillies playing and of music ringing in the air. It was a time of peace, a time of hope.

As they got to the yellow-bricked building that was to be their home, the Commander noted that a large brown prison cart was stationed out front. It bore the Equestrian flag on its side, and two unfamiliar guards were leaning over its edge, making small talk.

"Looks like we got another roommate?" the Commander hissed to his partner.

"Maybe..." Reflect agreed.

Both changelings continued their pace, passing the guards who gave them unfriendly stares. As the double doors opened, Clyde and another, larger stallion were leaning over the desk, where Mags had apparently wandered off to find another book to last the next millenium.

"What's going on here Clyde," the colt asked as he looked around the room, "did we get a new prisoner?"

Clyde gave a grunt and motioned for the colt to come towards him. With a sigh, he left the two changelings outside, a brown aura covering the doors as they folded shut. Now, with only Mags and the other guard as company, the colt gave the warden a confused look. "What's going on Clyde?"

"The message came today," Clyde began, "it appears Celestia wants to have the trial in Canterlot."

For a moment, the colt felt a shiver up his body. He knew that Clyde would give the changeling a trial, but it was expected that he would have the trial here, just like the Commander. The fact that Celestia was showing considerable interest in a minor drone made him suspect that there was something much deeper in the meaning of this simple request.

"The wagon's set up, we're taking him tonight." Clyde sighed inwardly. "I don't know what's going on but I swear when I get there I'm going to find out."

The colt raised a brow, "You're going with them?"

Clyde merely nodded. "Sure am, I ain't letting nopony take my prisoner from me."

But as Clyde made his way to the door, the pegasus colt lifted a wing to stop him. "Wait, at least let them say goodbye."

Clyde eyed his subordinate suspiciously, as if waiting for him to flash green. However, he finally shrugged and said the colt could break the news, but that they have only a minute before the moon rose. Opening the door, he found the two changelings standing side by side, commander and drone, like two soldiers saluting the flag.

"Come in." he gestured to the cell.

They followed without question, entering the large wooden door that had been their barrier from civilization. The dungeon was as gloomy as ever, the unkept walls cold and grey. The scuttling of spiders from corner to corner, and the feeble moonlight now beginning to enter the window. After taking in a deep breath, the colt began.

"You know how Clyde promised that he would give your changeling friend a trial once he came to consciousness?"

The Commander nodded his head. Reflect merely shrugged in agreement. "What about it?"

"He's going to keep that promise," the colt began slowly, before finally admitting the news. "and that means you have to go to Canterlot."

It took a while for the words to sink in. The walls curved inwards, as if entrapping the trio in a wicked embrace. At first the Commander thought it was a joke, but then again, the guard wasn't stern nor cheerful. He was...sad. The fact that he saw this on a pegasus who was to show no emotion made his outer shell shiver. This guard wasn't fabricating another tall tale.

Reflect seemed to understand a second after. For a moment, he wobbled to the left, but then managed to straighten himself back up with his wings. His eyes showed no anger or no joy. The happiness that had been in them was replaced with something else. Could it be...fear?

"I'll leave you two some time to say goodbye," and with that the pegasus flew out the door, leaving them to regard each other's presence for the final time.

"I'm sure I can get an acquittal," Reflect assured his new-friend, "no prison can hold me sir."

But the assurance was more for himself then for the Commander. He knew that his fellow changeling would be convicted. Then, he would be sent to the Canterlot Dungeon, where they kept all the other, larger, war prisoners. What if they refused to let him have the casserole they served on Wednesdays? Or what if he was banished to Tartarus? Surely, even that was too harsh a punishment to bestow on a simple drone.

"Reflect..." the Commander said, his voice shaking, "do...do take care fo yourself."

The changeling gave a small smile and laid his hoof over the shoulder of the Commander.

"You may be a queer," he elicited, his vocal cords choking,",but hey, your'e family."

The changeling sighed before continuing, "I lost some good mates in that invasion. Ones that I hope to see again. You may be insane to go on this quest of yours, saving the battalion and what not, but regardless of what, I hope you actually do it. You were, after all, the best prisoner a mate could ask..." but he never finished before he was interrupted by a half-sob, half-laugh.

"Come here you resin-secreted blowhole," and the Commander raised his hooves to latch onto the changeling. For a good ten seconds, they just stood there, in an embrace not made of love or sadness, but of friendship. The knock on the door indicated that it was time for Reflect to part.

"They're waiting for you," the colt said nervously.

Taking in a deep breath, Reflect gave one last confident, reassuring, glance at his commander and trotted off. The colt folded a wing protectively around his body, as if shielding the tears that would surely follow. But as the door closed, the Commander did not shed a single tear. Even as the groans and creaks of the cart faded into nothingness, the changeling just sat there, in his corner.

The moon was still shining down, looking as cheerful and radiant as ever. It made the Commander think of the princess at his trial. At how she was going to be there in Canterlot. Oh how he hated her so.

"It's your fault he's going there!" he howled at the beam of white light, tears streaming out of his eyes. "You are the reason Reflect is never going to see the light of day again."

He fell to his knees, his mouth gagging as he tried to cry, but no sound came out. Only the tears came, and they began to create tiny puddles on the grime-covered interior that was his prison. His thoughts drifted off to all the countless creatures that had been converted into changelings. Ponies, griffins, zebras, diamond dogs, and who knows what else. All of them, trapped in a cocoon as they began to change inside. Well, this prison was his cocoon. And they were changing him into what they wanted him to be. Broken.

After what felt like an eternity, the changeling drew enough courage to look back up at the moon, who seemed to shining down on him, caressing him in its warm glow. Maybe it wasn't her fault. Maybe...Reflect would end up in a better place. Maybe he would meet his friends and they would all live happily ever after.

He would like to think of it like that, but a changeling knew better. The words of Reflect echoed in his mind. You may be insane to go on this quest of yours, saving the battalion and what not, but regardless of what, I hope you actually do it. But he already knew he would never be able to do it. Never, would he be able to save the swarm.

"Looks like your right Reflect," he said in a disconcerted voice, "I am just a queer. A queer for thinking I could try and amount to anything. Maybe this is how it will end."

%%%%

"I better go and meet up with the wagon," Clyde said, " Celestia knows those foals will get lost in the dark."

The colt simply waved the warden a goodbye before attending to his own duties. Cleaning the bathroom, watering the plants, and reading a book. It was the same routine he had always done before and would continue to do. As he scrubbed the toilet, he thought of how he had first come to meet the Commander. He had been so self-confident, pompous, and a pain in the donkey. He still was, but now, he was a pitiful pain in the donkey and no guard wanted to deal with that. So, as he finished his chores, the colt pulled out a new book, one from an old child-hood favorite, and began to read.

No more noise came out of the cell. Whenever he checked, he saw the Commander sitting on his bed, his hoof leafing through the pages of a book he had re-read a dozen times. He had offered to get some other material, but the changeling insisted that few books ever got his attention. And so, for the remainder of the night and early morning, the changeling simply stared at his book, the ceiling, or even the moon.

As the colt sat on his stool, he looked out into the town ahead. So peaceful and cheerful as it was before, but still different in some way. The ponies more cautious, the guards more alert, the searches extending far into the night. Ever since the Royal Wedding ended, the town had been metamorphosing into something, and he had no idea of whether this change was for the better...or for the worst.

Flying is for professionals only...

The moon was a ball of gas radiating white vapor to the trees, which channeled it outward like some ghostly stream. The wagon moved at a brisk pace, the guards never stopping until Ponyville was a like a dying firefly, disappearing into the distance. As they moved along, there was a shutter and a crack that sounded like shattered bone. The captan had to stop and move to the back of the cart to examine the wheels. Sure enough, a pebble had jammed itself in the wooden cog and caused it to tear apart. A minor fix, but an indicator that they wouldn't be reaching Canterlot anytime soon.

"Rest up for now," the captain called out, "then we will continue the journey tomorrow."

In a few minutes, the campfire illuminated the weary faces of his subordinates, the bags under their eyes casting long shadows over their faces. It was another cold night, and it had been for quite some time. Leaving Leafy and Groomberg to guard the prisoner caged in the back, the other three decided to gather more wood. After a few seconds, the flames began to glow brighter, their tongues now reaching a full height above the mid-waist.

"Any word from the other districts?" private Stiff Hoof asked hopefully.

The captain merely sighed and shook his head. It was true that the last report sent in to Canterlot had been grim. Apparently, changeling hide outs and nests were being discovered all over the country. Underground gangs in Las Pegasus to whole neighborhoods in Fillydelphia. The Princess had been dispatching squads to eradicate the threat, but they only had so many to send. There was barely an adequate force to guard Canterlot now.

"None so far," the captain replied solemnly, "Though from what we last heard, all the districts were having major infestations. It's gotten to the point where Ponyville may be the only safe haven left."

He looked back at the cart, which was becoming nebulous from the fog settling in. That, and the chilly conditions of their predicament, made the captain wonder if this really was summer. This was far too unusual for a pegasus to be causing, and the last time a season had been this warped was before Equestria's founding, when harmony had been unbalanced.

But that's impossible, he thought, that sign only happens when we're showing severe enmity within the equine races.

Meanwhile, Clyde was sprinting down the road, his brown hooves collecting mud from the puddles now forming ahead of him. However, as he was running, he felt an ache in his upper rump. Coming to a halt, he was unsure of what this sign meant. Then his ear made an involuntary twitch, and a shiver ran along his body. The gift that he had passed on to his daughter had sent him a clear message. With a deep breath, he dashed down the dirt path, his heart beating at the thought of what this doozy could mean.

The two colts stood stoically around the cart's perimeters, their eyes holding back the temptation to close. Leafy was not enjoying his new post. Before, he had been in charge of securing the Canterlot Royal Gardens, and now he was standing in the middle of the night, his body chilled to the bone. The same could be said about his partner Groomberg.

"I don't get it," Groomberg uttered under his breath, "Captain Rosemary gets to cuddle his nice shiny bottom by a fire while ours are out here, freezing in the middle of the night guarding this guy."

He thrusted his hoof to the cage, where the changeling laid motionless, as if he was already dead. Ever since they took him, he had been howling any sort of swear his mind could conceive. It was getting to the point where they were tempted to buck him senseless, until the changeling finally subsided to whimpering. Well, at least he wasn't annoying them right now. Otherwise, this would be one of the worst nights...

"Hey you two!" came the hissing sound of what appeared to be multiple voice speaking at once. " Is it me or are you guys frost-proof? Because it is as cold as a windigo's mother. Maybe we ought to move to that campfire over there huh?"

"Shut your mouth prisoner -1," Leafy ordered.

"And what?" the changeling got up, his fangs, illuminated by the moon, " You going to beat me senseless? I'll put you down faster then you can say Celestia you piece of Canterlot-ridden trash!"

"We're not going to ask you again," Broomberg spat, "shut your mouth or you'll be wishing you only had the cold to worry about."

"Oh no," the changeling raised his hooves in mock surrender," now you really got me. Please, I can do better then that in my sleep."

Groomberg had had enough with this creature. He stomped his hooves across the muddy soil, his eyes glaring at the changeling as he did so. But before his hoof even made contact with the latch, there was a sound of a stampede, followed by a tumultuous halt. Looking back, the two colts saw a group of around ten neatly-groomed guards, their armor still shiny and their looks confident. The captain of the group stepped forward. "Captain Springfield reporting for duty with orders from Shining Armor himself."

"Really?" Leafy said as he walked over to face the new captain, a caramel unicorn by the looks of it. "No one told us about backup arriving."

"The order was given out just now. Her Royal Highness wanted to make sure the prisoner got back safe and sound to Canterlot for his trial." He paused before continuing on, as if he was unsure about those last words. "He is safe and sound correct?"

Leafy darted a dangerous glare towards Groomberg, who backed off immediately. Then, turning back, he gave an affirmative nod. "Just a little under the weather is all."

"Mind if we see him." The Captain made a move towards the steel cell, before Leafy side-stepped in front of him.

"Woah there," he said sternly, "Nopony is going near that prisoner."

"But we're backup," a green pegasus mare argued from the side, "we have as much authority over this matter as you two do."

"That remains to be seen," Leafy said angrily, "let me run this by my commanding officer..."

But his words never came as he saw a green sheen flash for just a second over the pegasus's eyes. Before he could react, a beam of emerald light collided with his face, sending the earth pony in a spastic dance before he tumbled onto the ground, his mouth opened in an 'o' as his legs twitched uncontrollably.

"Leafy!" Broomberg rushed to his partner's side, examining his blank expression, before looking up accusingly. "You!"

But his words never reached the captain as he sent another beam to the colt's snout, leaving him to crumple onto the mud, his face frozen in a mid-scream. In an instant, the "guards" rushed to the cell door, breaking the enchanted chains holding the cage together. Reflect could only stare in complete bewilderment as the steel bars collapsed in front of him.

"What the Tartarus..." he began before the pegasus moved her hoof to muffle whatever words were going to pour out.

"Time to go," was all she whispered into his ear. But his hooves continued to resist her hold, his muffled voice trying to break out of the barrier she was holding them in. With a sigh, her horn sent a whiz of green energy to his nostrils, causing the changeling to expand his eyes in surprise before casting off a dreamy look that sent him to sleep. That's the second time I've done this.

The sound of a thud got Captain Rosemary's attention as he stared back to the wall of darkness. It was now hiding the cart from view. Nudging his subordinates awake, he pointed in the general direction of the fog. "We've got a problem."

-------------

General Carbon was directing commands to his fellow siblings when it whizzed by him. An amber beam of magical energy that sent a tumult of dirt into the air. Swiveling to face the attackers, his horn already glowing green, the General counted four armored stallions. They were all unicorns, their horns shooting blast after blast in a futile attempt to subdue the ambushers.

"Time to scramble," he shouted to the changelings. Then, turning back to the pegasus kneeling over the prisoner, said "Transparence, do you have a hold of Reflect?"

"Yes," she replied briskly, resting the unconscious brother on her carapace, "we better take off."

Carbon made an affirmative flutter of his partially-exposed wings, his horn sending out another green beam of energy. Flying as fast as sound itself, it made impact directly with one of the guard's chests, sending him flying backwards like a rag doll. The rest of the group had already made a dash for the woods, leaving the two changelings to follow in suit.

They leaped over a bush, dashing the dark pillars that were tree trunks as they galloped in an attempt to reach the others before it was too late. The yellow glow of a unicorn's horn illuminated the mossy ground below, its source hidden by the glare. But Transparence kept running, her hooves pushing and dodging the decaying plant material with mechanical precision. They would soon be reaching the collapsed trunk of an ancient oak. Taking in a deep breath, she began to count the seconds it would take for them to make it.

A brown beam of magical energy shot past her ear, followed by the sickening snap of a branch and sizzle of burnt wood. They were still on their tails! And by the position of their latest shot, they're aim was more accurate too.

Oh the suspense was going to kill her before her pursuers got the chance!

Oh for Chrysalis' sake 1!

The two changelings took in a gust of the breeze to lift their insect-like bodies over the log, their legs brushing against' its rough, woody surface. There was a cry of alarm and a thunderous thud as the pair of remaining guards collided head-first with the oncoming log. Allowing a dark giggle to escape her lips, Transparence continued at her pace, dodging the obstacles in her way as the two dissolved into the darkness.

Captain Rosemary was the first to recover from his injury, scrambling to his feet, he saw the dark maze of branches ahead, the two changelings, along with his prisoner, vanished without a trace. With a guttural scream, he slammed his hoof onto the hardwood, causing a crack to form. The private was the next to stumble back to his feet, his body trying to keep balance as he rose on all fours, looking around in a vain attempt to spot the prisoner. "What happend?" he called out weakly.

"We lost them..."

The sound of nocturnal hunters alerted her that they were in the clearing. Looking to her General, she could see he was still doubtful. Making a nod of reassurance, she hurdled over a stream that was flooding its banks. The environment changed to a floor of moss, and then into a leaf-littered carpet. With the field just overhead, the two changeling's finally turned on the biological brakes in their systems.

"That was a close one." General Carbon sighed as he walked to the group of changelings panting from their run in with Equestrian law enforcement.

Transparence laid her unconscious brethern on a tuff of grass, his eyes closed in a dream-like trance. If only they had gotten to them sooner, she could have stopped this all together. But alas, it was her fault he had ended up there in the first place. With a sigh she looked at the other eight brothers and sisters that had helped her, their forms still disguised as troops of Equestria.

The plan had been set to rescue the Commander when General Carbon came to the scene, explaining the need to keep up their cover for a little while longer. The capture of Reflect didn't help matters any better. There were still others out there, who also were in alliance to General Carbon, but she knew of a few who had no idea what was going on. Now that at least one changeling was rescued, she hoped to return to the original plan.

"General," she asked in her modified voice, "do you think we could talk for a bit?"

"Yes," General Carbon motioned for her to come forward.

"Now that we've rescued Reflect," she paused before continuing, "when are we going to rescue the Commander?"

General Carbon sighed inwardly. "We need to rest up for now. As much as I know you want to rescue every brother and sister out there, it cannot be done. The Commander is a nuisance, you've said it yourself to me quite a few times. Right now, there are other changelings that need to know the family is still caring for them. And the Commander isn't exactly loyal to his family."

Transparence raised a brow, "How so?"

"He's never wanted to be a part of the swarm. In fact, until his promotion, he had been one of the top delinquents to be frequently punished by the Queen for repeated offenses. He may be family, but he can wait."

Transparence felt the armored hoof of her general over her shoulder, his eyes locking with hers. "Let's worry about our other brothers and sisters now. And when we invade Ponyville, then we can rescue him."

Transparence made a nod and flew off to tend to the others. His form reverting back to his original appearance, the general decided to go on a stroll. As he walked, his thoughts drifted back to the conversation he had had earlier with Transparence.

She was only trying to do what she thought was best, but there was a reason why the swarm only had one Commander in the squad. A reason why they shared the same armor as a general. A reason why so few ever returned. It was because they were all the same. Defective, disloyal, but remarkably healthy. They had no empathy sickness. It was their nature to question the rules as well as break them. They weren't "late bloomers" as so many thought because that would have to indicate that they would bloom. Those changelings could never become part of the family. They were the white sheep of the flock, and would never be able to fit in.

The captain knelt down to examine the still bodies that were his privates. The pulses said that they were alive, but the paralyzed looks on their faces indicated changeling magic. One that he knew very well.

"What happened to them?" Private Stiff Hoof gestured to Leafy and Groomberg.

"Paralysis," the captain answered logically, "its a natural stun spell common in all changelings. That's how they can replace a pony overnight. One bolt and your'e frozen in place, left to suffer tormenting hallucinations as your body is transported to the nest. We need to find a healer asap."

The rush of hooves sent both remaining guards on alert. Horns at the ready, the two soldiers were preparing to open magic on anything that tried to test them. However, the dim light casted off by the campfire revealed a burly brown stallion in rusted armor. "What the pegasus happened here?"

In a second Captain Rosemary was in front of the stallion's face, his hooves pinning him to the ground. "I can say the same for you...changeling."

The stallion seemed bewildered and held his hooves up. "Changeling? I ain't a changeling. Go ahead, try me."

His horn giving off a purple aura, the captain shot a magical blast at the creature under him. The stallion coughed, but did nothing else. Relieved, the captain released his tight grip on the stallion.

"Now that that's over," the stallion jeered as he brushed off the dust on his coat, "mind telling me what the Celestia is going on here?"

"We were attacked--" Stiff Hoof began before his officer shoved a hoof into his throat.

"The prisoner managed to slip through the bars," the captain said in a cool, collective voice, "he used a paralysis spell on my guards. They all need to see a healer immediately...ummm...private..."

"I'm the warden," the stallion said as he gave an annoyed look at the younger officer, "and my name is Clyde."

"The warden of that Ponyville prison," the captain said with a curt nod, "you're the one who said he wanted to go to Canterlot with us."

The warden simply nodded before adding, "and I know a healer in Everfree Forest. We're only two miles out from Ponyville."

"Two miles..." the captain mouthed. They had seen the lights of the town disappear at least an hour ago. That would mean that the fog was far more dense then previously noted. His thoughts drifted off to the blizzards described in the history before Equestria. There had been an account that described the summers turning into winters without snow. Winds that froze a well-built specimen to his bones and fog that was as thick as pea soup. There were too many connections now to make this a coincidence. But he could ponder on this later. Now, he needed to get his subordinates to a healer as soon as possible.

"Then time is of the essence. Help me carry the wounded if you won't mind."

Heaving Leafy and Broomberg on his rump, Clyde led the two conscious guards along the road. His doozy had been correct. As the faint glow casted off by the town shined brightly ahead, he couldn't help but wonder how a changeling managed to overcome five, well-built Canterlot guardsponies.

Safely out of the range of hearing distance, the private decided to confer with his officer. "Why'd you tell him he slipped out of the bars?"

Captain Rosemary merely sighed and looked at his subordinate wearily. "Because the last thing this town needs is a panic. It's better to think of one changeling on the loose compared to a dozen or more. For now, keep your mouth shut until we get a firm grip on the situation here."

Private Stiff Hoof casted a bemused expression."And how do you suppose that's gonna happen?"

"We'll capture each one of them...discreetly of course." The captain seemed to stare at the stars now forming over the cumulus cloud cover. It was a risky not to warn anypony about the threat. He could be endangering them all by witholding this knowledge. But for now, it was a risk he was willing to take. A few inquires here and there wouldn't arouse too much suspicion from the populace. And if things got out of hoof...well...it was best not to think of the repercussions.

%%%%

The Commander woke with an ear-piercing shriek. His heart was beating rapidly and his glands had produced an enormous amount of sweat. He looked around his cell, expecting to see something waiting for him. However, it was still as empty and lifeless as it had been before Reflect moved in. With a sigh, he plopped back down on his bed.

It had felt so vivid. So real. He had dreamed that he was in Reflect's hooves, sitting in the cramped cage, the cart moving at a steady pace. Then there was a halt, an exchange of harsh voices, and beams of emerald energy shooting past him as he fell into a dark chasm below.

But it was all just a dream. Just a figment of his imagination. And yet, he fluttered to the edge of the pothole that was called a window to look outside. The town was just as silent as it had been the last few times. The only difference was the cold. He was used to chilly temperatures, but this was getting out of hand. It was summer for Chrysalis' sake!

With a yawn, he went back to the top bunk he had occupied since his arrival, pulling the blankets over his neck and ears for insulation. Come to think of it, he also recalled a second dream that had happened before the first one. There were these..well...pegasi but at the same time...they weren't pegasi. Instead of bird-like wings, they were wider and more like tissue paper. In fact, they seemed to belong to a butterfly. He couldn't remember much else, other then a black cloud and endless screaming.

But hey, they can go in my list as most unusual dreams of my life. Though number one will always be the one where Daring Do shoots a party cannon in my face. That was the most frightening nightmare ever.

As he tried to settle back in, there was a loud, thunderous boom and rush of hooves. However, the 'shhh' hissed by his guard seemed to remind the source that it was the middle of night. A few deep breaths came afterwards, followed by some whispering. And then the jail cell door flung right off its hinges.

%%%%

"YOU!" Clyde bellowed as he dashed straight for the Commander, his hooves enveloping the space reserved for his throat. "You sly little fox. You knew we were taking your little friend away didn't you? You sabotaged the cage, and then that sour-faced changeling made a run for it, taking out three good guards in his wake. You better have a good reason on why I shouldn't bucking squeeze the pitiful life out of you."

All the Commander could do was vainly try to get the stallion to release his grip. Already, his lungs begged for air, his systems slowly seeping into the edge of subconsciousness. He still had no idea what the stallion was blabbering about, but he figured that if he was going to suffocate, he would at least go down with some dignity.

So he ended up doing the only thing he knew how to do. He stared the stallion right in his eyes, his horn glowing green as it sent a bolt of energy right towards the pony's cranium. In an instant, Clyde's pupils shifted green and his expression was blank and emotionless. Releasing his grip, the stallion fell off the bunk and into the hooves of his subordinate, who looked up gapingly at the prisoner.

"What the buck did you just do?"

Air now flowing smoothly through his airways, the Commander spoke. "I did it in self-defense. He was asking for it."

Apparently, this wasn't the answer the colt was looking for. Upon realizing that his steadfast centurion had as much knowledge about changelings as a trained rabbit, he raised his hooves in innocence. "I didn't kill him. Just hypnotized him to let me go. He'll be fine."

Sure enough, Clyde woke from his trance with a groan and a wave of his hooves. Looking up though, he scowled at the Commander. He was going to make another leap towards him before the colt tackled him on the ground. "Enough!" he shouted, "there is no way he could have known about that cage. If he had, he would have left this prison a long time ago!"

For a moment, Clyde just glared at the guard, as if wondering whether he should be choking him at this moment. Finally though, he gave a grunt and rose to his hooves. "You prove a point there. But I still don't trust him."

The colt raised the warden to his hooves, shaking off the dust that had collected over his coat.

"Awwww isn't that cute," the Commander mused before his eyes glowed red with rage, "now maybe you two would care to explain to me why the BUCK HE JUST TRIED TO STRANGLE ME?"

"It's about your friend," the colt explained, "apparently he slipped through the bars and made a dash for the woods. The guards are going on a hunt right now, with orders from Captain Rosemary to use deadly force if they encounter him."

He just stood there in his cot, unable to fathom the graveness of the current situation. Reflect Fury, his newly found friend, had just escaped. Slipped through the bars and made a dash for the woods. If he knew any better, Reflect would be going as far away as possible from the town. And yet, it seemed odd to him that in his dream that, though Reflect did escape, something had aided him. However, it was just a dream. It didn't matter what he thought at the moment.

"Commander?" the colt stood awkwardly over the wooden door that was hanging on by a single hinge, "are you okay?"

Coming back to reality, the Commander faced him and nodded. "I need some time to think about this."

The colt's muscles seemed to form something on his lips. Was it...a smile?

An aura now enveloped the door as it was lifted back into its sealed position before Mr. Ironhooves went bombarding machine on it. With a few quick snaps, the locks and hinges were repaired instantaneously. Apparently, Clyde had simmered down enough to realized how much property damage he had caused.

Well as long as he's concentrating that magic on the door and not me

%%%%

Now with Mag Mane going out on a stroll, a rare occurrence, the two guards looked over each other. Clyde had twigs in his mane, and debris over his body. His odor was musky and reeked of dirt and sweat.

"You look like you had an interesting day," the colt commented.

Clyde merely grunted. "I had to carry the wounded back to Zecora's Hut. Captain Rosemary left his private to handle the others while we ran to the mayors house."

"Mayor's house?" the colt asked surprised, "she wouldn't even be up by this hour."

"Well we woke her anyway, and told her about the escapee." Clyde seemed to pause before adding. "The captain didn't appear to me as being confident. As if he was hiding something."

"Maybe he's just guilty about letting the changeling escape," the colt offered.

"No," Clyde said with an edge of finality, "he kept shifting his hooves and looking outside. In my time serving her Royal Highness, I've learned to interpret every look that a solider gives in the field. It was clear that he was anxious about something bigger then a fugitive. So far, this whole arrival and transfer seems...fishy."

The guard rested a hoof over the warden's shoulder. "It's not your business Clyde. Let the captain handle the problem. You just worry about taking care of this changeling here alright? Now I'm sorry, but I need to get some rest."

"What for?" Clyde asked.

"Pinkie is throwing a Not-So-Surprise party for this pony called Matchie or something. Apparently, she looks like Daring Do. But hey, if you think fictional characters coming to life was fishy, why don't you pay closer attention to the Elements of Harmony. Almost half of them don't have time to carry out the Princesses' punishment, making up excuse after excuse."

Clyde gave a smile to his subordinate. "Interesting."

It was just as rare as Mags taking a walk, but it happened. Every now and then the colt could spot things that no other pony noticed. It was an invaluable gift, one that was given to a select few. Well...maybe one day he could try to remember the colt's name.

%%%%

The next day came and went. The Commander had been fairly silent during the majority of Clyde's shift. In fact, the prisoner was so quiet that he wondered if he did kill him. Eventually, though, he settled into his stool and decided to plop open one of the Daring Do novels that his fellow watchcolt loved to read.

The plot was okay, but too fictional to be interesting to him. Maybe a more imaginative pony would be absorbed into these stories, but he wasn't a pony with a lot of creativity. The war had made sure of that. In fact, his entire life had made sure that.

Clyde never knew what it was like to relax, play, and just imagine greater possibilities. That was until his youngest daughter got her cutie mark. His daughter, who brought smiles to the world and to his face whenever he saw her. Even with a packed schedule, she always found time to visit her old stallion for a bite to eat.

How life managed to make us related is still a mystery to me. He thought cheerfully. And it was true. For how could a stern, grumpy old warden be related to an energetic, caring daughter?

As the day settled into night, Clyde looked up to see the fatigued face of his partner. His eyes were red and his coat was coated with stains from cake and soda. Yet, his grin was as shiny as a whistle.

"How was the party?" Clyde asked?

"You know how well Pinkie can throw a party." The colt chuckled and described the events to him in detail.

Apparently, the news of Reflect's escape was on everypony's lips. Other then that, however, the pegasus-of-honor had been a little "off" so to speak. Hiding under tables and not really socializing as a normal pony would. But he decided it was just because of the circumstances of her arrival that such behavior was exhibited.

Clyde grinned. "Well glad to know Pinkie still throws good parties."

"Yep," the colt replied. He seemed to gaze at the cell door, as if wondering whether its occupant was still alive or dead. "He didn't...bother you by any chance?"

Clyde murmured something as he got up, his enormous figure towering over him. "I was still suspicious of him after you tried to explain it to me. However, I know a creature when he's broken. And right now, he's been shattered. It's hard to lose a soldier in the field, especially when you can't do anything about it."

He exhaled before continuing. "I still don't equate myself with that monster, but I know when enough is enough. He'll be sober in the morning. Until then...well...I'll leave that for you to decide."

With that he left the colt to make the long trek to his home. It was really weird to Clyde, how fast the day had gone. Maybe he was just becoming accustomed to the dreary lifestyle he led when this spawn of Chrysalis waltzed his way up the prison steps. From that moment, his whole world had changed. Could it really be that, as insatiable as he was, the Commander might just have an ounce of stallion in him?

%%%%%

The next day was bright and wonderful as the sun shined beautiful rays down on the pleasant village. Birds of all shapes and colors sat perched on mahogany branches, each singing its own tune to blend together in a harmonious performance. On the streets, fillies played hop-scotch while their parents sat to listen to the sounds of nature. In the cafes, friends sat hunched over, their voices whispering the latest gossip. For the first time, it actually felt like summer. And the day was going to be wonderful.

But in one particular yellow jailhouse, this wasn't the case. The Commander woke with a loud yawn, his blue eyes blinking in the soft light. Scratching his carapace, he sluggishly crawled out of the bunk to examine himself. From what he could see, his wings were still functioning and his body was still stable. Relieved, he did a two-second stretch before settling down on the lower bunk.

"Hello Celestia," he whispered, "today is going to be a wonderfully-monotonous-pointless-uninspiring day."

He looked over the books he had already finished. There really was no point in re-reading them. So that left daydreaming and annoying the guard. Well, he had enough dreaming for a lifetime. Annoying the guards would never get old. As he crept towards the grating, the casual voice of the colt rang out.

"Good morning Commander. Sweet dreams I'm guessing?"

"Yeah," the Commander replied in his irritable voice, "in fact it was a dream I think you might like. There were these butterfly-like pegasi in it. Really top-notch imagination if I do say so myself."

"Butterfly pegasi?" the colt looked at the Commander with a raised brow, "I think the term your'e looking for is Flutterpony."

"Flutter-what?' the Commander scratched his head.

"Flutterponies," the colt responded annoyed, "they're a type of creature. Though some say they're just myths."

"Myths?" The Commander said in a curious tone, "how so?"

"No pony has ever seen one. Apparently they lived in this valley, but then it turned into the badlands or something. If I remember correctly, there were quite a few sites scattered over Equestria. However, no evidence has ever been found about them. All we have is the word of our ancestors."

"Well they seemed kind of weird," the Commander remarked, "pretty flimsy wings and all."

The colt shrugged and trotted off to find something. Finding himself alone, the Commander leaned against the wall once more. So far, one of his dreams had been correct. And the fact that this new dream had happened twice...was well...disturbing. He didn't tell the colt everything, but he was pretty sure that the same dream in two nights was amounting to something big. Though it could also be the side effects from having no Reflect to keep him awake.

The Commander still wanted to know where Reflect had gone. Had the changeling found his friends? Maybe he was back at the hive, safe and content. Or maybe he ran into some lethal fiends who had already killed him. In either case, he was doomed and the Commander had already assumed such. But still, Reflect was one of the few changelings that reminded him that not all changelings are rotten in the inner, inner core.

"Breakfast," the colt said in a motherly impersonation, "time for my little wub wub to have something to grow those large muscles of his." The changeling snatched the tray as it was going in, giving the colt a glare that spoke of complete malice.

"First off," he declared, "there's a Commander in that. Second, I am not you wub wub and if you say it again I'll personally show you the extent of my powers."

"Stop griping and eat your grub," the colt replied flatly.

Muttering something about disrespect, the Commander decided to examine today's meal. He was astonished to find it completely edible and smacked his lips in anticipation. As he began to indulge himself, the corner of his eye saw it. A fur ball with eight straw-like legs.

"SPIDER!" he squealed, his body giving an involuntary jerk that sent him flying backwards. Scouring for a weapon, he snatched the second volume of Daring Do, raising the book to squash the adversary to cinders. As he inched closer, however, he noticed that the fur ball was indeed a fur ball and that the legs were simply colored straw. It was merely a life-like replica of the feared arachnid.

Looking over the grating, he saw the guard rolling over the floor, unable to stop chortling.

"Why you sneaky swine you," the Commander bellowed, "that was one of the most sadistic pranks I've ever had to experience."

"Oh come off it," the colt managed to coax out of his vocal cords, "even you had to admit it was hilarious."

The colt proved a point, and the Commander would not deny that he did this multiple times with his battalion. Why, one time he remembered a changeling who had no wings-he recalled her name as being something like Ditto- and leading her off a fake cliff ,blind-folded. Sure, the prank was probably cold-blooded, but it was impossible to resist and in the end, after some convincing, the changeling thought it was funny too. Or at least she gave a chuckle. He wasn't entirely sure. The Queen didn't take kindly to his shenanigan, sending him for a week on maintenance duty. This, of course, sucked and made him think twice before attempting another caper on the unsuspecting drone.

"Fine," he muttered, "hardy har har," He slid his back against the door, so that his rump settled over the mushy substance that the prison called food. Karma was making a comeback on him. He knew this was for all the times he messed with Ditto. He wondered how well she had held up. Usually, a mutant like her wouldn't see much action, but the Queen had enforced the order to send all changelings to combat. Then again, most of the changelings in his battalion, save for a few, weren't supposed to experience the sights and sounds of war.

Getting up, he turned to face the colt, who was now reading on a stool right in front of the door. It was funny really, how this guard may just have as much a sense of humor as he did. Reflect had a different kind of humor, but then again, Reflect was a bitter changeling.

"Any new friendship lessons for me?" the tired changeling asked.

"Just one," the guard said, not taking his eyes off the book, " most of the other Elements are too busy or too angry with you, so consider this a blessing."

"Whatever," the Commander replied, "she's probably some giddy mare whose going to take me out to smell flowers and learn about how amazing it is to be 'sweet and kind'" He said in the best feminine voice he could manage.

%%%%

"Alright listen up prisoner," Rainbow Dash barked, "this ought to be a privilege to get to learn loyalty from me. These are the rules: I am awesome. You shall respect me and answer any questions I ask. If I give an order, you do it, clear?"

The Commander merely nodded his head, muttering, "Yes Ms. Clown,".

"What did you call me?" Rainbow Dash flared her wings.

"I said 'yes Ms. Dash'"

Rainbow Dash reduced her eyes to slits as she stared snout to snout with the armored creature. "That's yes Ms. Awesome Rainbow Dash."

The Commander raised his hooves in the air, a common gesture he did whenever he wanted to shed responsibility, "Well exxxxcccuuuuuuusssseeee me Ms. Dashie Pants."

Rainbow seemed to glare at him, as if he had fired a projectile at her heart. "Say that again...I dare you."

"What," the Commander responded in his sarcastic tone, "Ms. Dashie Pants--"

Before he could even place the question mark, the mare swept him off the ground and high, high, high into the clouds. The rush of wind blew off whatever dust and dirt adorned his body, leaving only his watering eyes, as he felt his body go at the speed of light. Then, when he was pretty sure they had reached the mesosphere, the rainbow-maned dare devil, for she was truly a spawn of Tarturus at this moment, shot down at blinding speed.

"Stop..." the Commander tried to say against the pressure, "Stop...in...the...name...of...love!"

But it was useless as the land expanded in front of him within a few seconds. When they were only a few inches from crashing, the pegasus made a swift right and nearly made the Commander suffer whiplash. He was going at ludicrous speed! Shielding his eyes from the rush, he did the only thing he could do.

He prayed to Queen Chyrsalis.

Dear Queen Chrysalis,

As me and the Element of Loyalty hurdle ourselves to our inevitable demise, I just want to let you know that you were the worst queen I've ever had the displeasure to meet. This is all your fault that I've been captured, tackled, shot, forced to live in a boring cell with eight-legged freaks, and now suffer the wrath of a rainbow-maned pegasus who looks like a clown. So here are my last words to you. sayonara you scrawny faced, bug-eyed freak.

Feeling content with himself, he opened his eyes to face the wall that was likely going to smash his face. However, it was a tree in front of him, which meant that he was probably going to die a stupid death. As he braced for impact, the pegasus shot straight up into the sky and landed with a soft thud, depositing the traumatized leader on the ground.

"How's that for awesomeness," Rainbow Dash gloated.

The Commander attempted to lift himself, but the shear amount of dizziness he was experiencing made him collapse. Rainbow Dash went to examine her student with a bewildered expression before looking up at the guard. "Is he alright?"

"Just a little dizzy," the guard replied gruffly," it's nothing really."

"Alright then," Rainbow said, her tone a bit relieved that she didn't cause any major damage, "hey Commander, get on your hooves before I take you on another flight."

The Commander shot up like a daisy being given too much fertilizer. His back stiff, and his hoof raised in some form of a salute, he said, "Commander reporting for duty sir! Please do not kill me Ms. Awesome Rainbow Dash."

The pegasus smirked at how he had turned from a sleezy, rude creature to a disciplined, surly gentlecolt. But as soon as he had said it, the Commander slouched back down, his mind vague of any thoughts except to never have to fly that way again. "So what's next?"

"Glad you asked," Rainbow said, her face giving a sly look, "I've been feeling awfully hungry. Since I trust you now, I'm going to leave you some bits to use to buy me...what...let's say a pumpkin scone?"

"Excuse me," the Commander replied, "but how is this helping me learn...anything?"

"Don't question it," Rainbow Dash said, pulling a cloud to rest on, "just do it."

With a sigh, the Commander stomped off towards Ponyville, the colt guarding his flank. As they disappeared, Rainbow Dash drew a sigh of relief. Pumpkin scones were a seasonal pastry, and with the only bakery shop closed for the day, it was going to take them forever before the task could be accomplished. As she sat on her cloud, she noticed a pink pony bouncing up and down.

"Hey Dashie," Pinkie said as she swung her hoof fervently in the air, "ready?"

"You betcha," Rainbow Dash said," now who are we going to prank first..."

The Commander was nearing the bridge that led to Ponyville when he paused for just a second. Looking back at his royal escort, he said, "I can't go in like this."

"Why not?" the colt asked bemused, "you've been escorted like this every single time. I highly doubt that they--"

But the Commander shot a hoof to silence the colt, pushing him into the bushes as he whispered his reason. "But that was different. They aren't going to let me near a store. The only reason why they allowed me to go here and there was because I was with an Element of Harmony. No offense, but they might just tackle me for suspicion on using hypnotism on you. I need a disguise, quickly."

Taking his hoof out of the guard's mouth, he watched the colt spit some saliva that had been held back. Now, looking absolutely perturbed, the colt whispered his answer. "Let's go back to the jail."

In the safety of the jailhouse lobby, the changeling noted several frames displayed over the walls. Each depicted a royal guard that had come from Ponyville, going as far back as the Pioneer Era. Scanning each photo, the Commander paused at one in the middle, two places right from the center. The stallion had a milky white coat and a moustache to accompany his chivalrous attitude displayed so predominantly in his portrait. Taking in a deep breath, the Commander was engulfed by a green fire. After about a second, the colt watched as the figure from the portrait stood in front of him, armor and all. Apparently, the ebony armor also had shape-shifting abilities.

"Well..." the Commander said, his moustache hiding the smirk forming over his face, "how do I look?"

"Like a museum piece," the colt commented, "you need to add some flair to that armor of yours. Otherwise, ponies will recognize you from your picture."

The Commander pondered on this for a second, and with another surge of energy, the gold-plated armor was replaced with a violet helment that covered his head, but not his neck. A sea serpent's fin stood atop, and a glowing blue stone adorned his now altered chest plate. Other then that however, his appearance was normal to say the least.

"You look like a mix between a nighttime guard and one of Luna's guards on break," the colt chuckled, " that'll probably do for now."

"Princess Luna..." the disguised guard seemed to say half-dreamily.

"Don't get any bright ideas now," the colt warned, "or else I'll send you back to the dungeon with those arachnid friends of yours."

"Fine," the Commander said, "now how about teaching me how to be a Canterlot Royal Guard?"

"Well," the colt said, "usually you guys are nocturnal, but then again, most of them have been forced to accompany the platoons being sent out at the moment. Soooo...I guess that's cool. You don't have the appearance of one of her guards, but then again, you only do that on Nightmare Night for the festivities. So I guess..."

The Commander coughed, as if telling the colt to get on with it.

"Just keep a stern face and walk like your'e the boss of this town." the colt replied with a sigh.

With a nod, the Commander found it easy to alter his voice, choosing, of course, the Trottginham accent he had used so many times before. It wasn't like anypony actually would recognize or remember how this guard talked. Besides, it was his trademark.

"Well now mate, let's go out for a stroll."

Every now and then, a pony would look at the pair with a confused look. But then, just as the colt had said, they would shrug it off and say it was just a night-time guard on break. Since the only place that sold pastries was Sugarcube Corner, the two decided to head for the gingerbread structure. It was funny to think that just a day before yesterday, he and Reflect had been there, trying to bake cupcakes.

"You think she'll recognize me? You know, the one called Pinkie Pie?" The Commander tensed up at the thought of having the mare actually point him out.

"If she does, I'll let her know you're with Rainbow Dash," the colt assured, "now let's go inside."

The line was packed, and it looked like the pink pony was having trouble getting the right pastries. The Commander didn't mind, because if she was so busy then that meant that she wouldn't be able to point him out. As the line inched closer, bit by bit, he began to loosen up to the point where he was making small talk with the colt.

"You know," he said, "if the food is this good, why don't they open another branch?"

"Because there is only so few of them who can actually bake," the colt answered, "you ought to know this from experience."

"Aye mate," the Commander agreed.

"And will you cut it with the Trottingham accent, it's getting annoying."

The Commander looked absolutely mortified at this notion. "Tis not!"

"Tis too," the colt replied.

"Tis not! I'll have you know that this accent saved me on more then one occasion."

The line moved another inch. Pinkie seemed profoundly flustered today. It was almost as if a changeling had just assumed her form and was working the bakery all by herself, although good old Fluttershy was there too.

"More then one occasion..." the colt asked doubtfully.

"Precisely," the Commander replied, "I had to do it when I was in Hoofington. You wouldn't believe how hard it was. It got to the point where I was saying it in my sleep. Now, I can no longer not talk in a Trottingham accent."

"Figures," the colt uttered.

The line suddenly halted, and the two guards stepped to the side to see Pinkie and a black mare go to the kitchen. There was murmurs of indignation from the crowd and from the Commander in particular.

"Oh come on!" he shouted in his Trottingham tone, "are you serious now?"

The colt pulled his partner back before he could yell out another harsh outcry. "Calm down, she's probably just taking a special order from the customer."

"You don't understand," the Commander argued, "I need that scone now or else Rainbow Dash is going to give me a heart attack before I reach my senior years."

With that, the violet chest-plated stallion marched right past the line and into the counter. There were cries of outrage, but it was the pegasus colt who rushed up to stop his prisoner from doing anything stupid. Tackling him before he had the chance, the colt pinned the Commander by the shoulders.

"What in the name of Discord are you doing?" the colt shouted.

"I'm speeding up the baking process," the Commander answered, "that way the goods get done faster and we get our pastry sooner."

"Or we end up blowing up the whole store," the colt scolded, "do you have any idea how to bake anyway?"

"Sure do," the Commander said, "I'm a professional now."

Letting go of his grip, the colt let the Commander work his changeling magic. Going towards the oven, he watched the changeling raise the dial up to 20%. Then he trotted over to a table and began hacking away at the dough.

"I'm pretty sure that's the wrong side of the oven...errrr..."

"Sporting Hooves," the Commander answered, his hooves struggling with the metal latch, "and no I am not doing it wrong. It's just this... oven... is not... budging...a bit."

"Ummm...Mr. Nice Guard sir," Fluttershy answered," I think that's turning up the heat..."

"Lies," the Commander exclaimed, " it ...just needs...a bit of tuning...and then the goods will be..."

There was a silent boom and a puff of smoke bellowed out of the pipes. An excruciatingly loud beeping noise pierced their ears as the guards got up. The colt seemed to mutter something to the yellow pegasus that the Commander could barely hear before his partner snatched him up like a puppy. The two darted out of the bakery faster then a diamond dog in a jewelry store, passing astonished pedestrians and guards alike.

In the safety of the alleyway, the two started to chuckle, and then roll over the floor hollering. They didn't stop, nor would they have been able to if they had tried.

"That..." the Commander gasped, "was the best escape I've ever seen you pull!"

"Yeah," the colt snorted, "but I had to apologize and tell Fluttershy to excuse my newest partner for his failed act of chivalry. You still have no idea how to bake."

"At least I tried!" the Commander spat back, "what did you do in line Mr. Colt Scout?"

"I waited," the colt blurted, " which is what ponies are supposed to do in a line."

"Bah humbug!" the Commander stated, "if we waited another minute the whole bakery may have been closed before noon!"

The two snickered back and forth as they trotted back home, the scone now a distant memory long forgotten. As the pair made their way to the yellow-brick building, the Commander spoke out.

"Thanks for watching my back at the bakery."

The colt shrugged, "It was nothing. You're not as bad as you looked when me and Clyde transported you to prison. Well, I mean you still are a piece of work, but hey, at least you aren't one of those insane changelings who would be doing everything and anything to extract revenge from us."

"Who's saying that I ain't planning on it?" the Commander asked with a raised brow. However, he couldn't keep the serious tone for long as he and the colt guffawed once more. It had, in all retrospect, been the greatest day ever in the Commander's time at Ponyville.

As the ruby-red doors folded back to close themselves, a pair of glittering eyes watched the two occupants from a distance. One by one, three more pairs appeared on the rooftop, their silhouettes barely visible from the setting sun. They each had an eager, wild look in their icy-blue orbs.With a flick of his hoof the first pair directed the others to dissolve back into the darkness. Soon, soon they would get the target that the High General had so promised them. Soon, the Matriarch would have her prize.

Plots work better at night...Pt 1.

The two colts guffawed as they entered the lobby. From the reception desk, Mags raised the pamphlet to cover the annoyed look on her face. There was a reason why she worked in a prison. It was to get away from all the noise that she had to constantly deal with when she gave birth to those two colts, Flim and Flam. When they departed, promising fame and glory, she took the opportunity to work in a place where conversation rarely, if ever, happened. But once again, life was smiling down on her, giving two obnoxious colts as presents.

"Well I suppose you need a rest for that big day tomorrow..." the colt chuckled.

"Yep," the Commander replied, " hopefully we won't blow something up next time around."

"Maybe," the colt answered, "until then though, rest up."

With that, the Commander trotted into his cell, the door following behind him. A green flash alighted the grating for a split second and the guard could see that the prisoner was rummaging through the sheets. Moving back to his stool, he took out a book and began to read.

The story in particular was one about a unicorn forced to live with these savages. Apparently, she had been a part of a squadron when she was captured by rogue griffins. Now, trying to evade her pursuers as well as rescue her own friends, the unicorn used everything her training had taught her. But stealth was always her strong suit.

"I bet a thousand bits that the Commander would love this stuff," the colt said to himself.

He had been in the Royal Guard for only a year, but in that year he had accomplished more then he could dream of. To be ridden of his wealthy parents and shallow friends. To develop true friendship with mates in the field. Real colts and stallions who worked strenuously to achieve their goals. Ponies he could call friends. But that was back in Canterlot. For now, he had to finish up his hours with a veteran.

It had actually been quite a surprise to his mates that he chose Clyde as his representative. Many voted for decorated officers, generals, or even Shining Armor himself. And yet, to him at least, Clyde stood out as a veteran with a backstory. He had been one of the few survivors of the war who still served under Celestia's leadership. While others retired, he remained steadfast in the field of combat: a trait that the colt wanted to learn for himself.

As the Commander's snores emanated from the wooden behemoth of a door, the colt sighed inwardly. The situation was as bad as it had ever been. With changelings on the loose, who could be safe?

%%%%

Reflect felt a soft, warm heat surround his body as he began to come out of unconsciousness, his eyes shifting hazily to get a bearing on his surroundings. He was in a home, his carapace resting on a soft linen sofa. Apparently, his disguise had been pre-set for him. A blue earth pony by the looks of it.

"Go figure." he muttered under his breath, his hooves making contact with the wooden floor.

Pulling himself up for a stretch, he noticed that it was dark outside. How long had he been out? A few minutes? Or a few days? It seemed as though the events of last week's invasion were nothing more then a distant memory. Vapor and Zeth were still out there, and he made a silent promise that as soon as he left this house, he would go looking for him. Enough distractions had already kept him away from that.

However, his ears picked up a vibration in the air. Was it...humming?

Moving towards the source of the humming, he almost fell on his wings at the sight of a green pegasus mare, the same one that had knocked him out, cleaning dishes in the sink.

"Feeling better Reflect?" the pegasus asked casually without glancing his way.

"How do you know my name?" Reflect began cautiously.

"You can drop the guise for now Reflect," the mare said nonchalantly, "you should remember me, we're basically siblings."

"So it seems," Reflect mused, "Mind telling me what the heck I'm doing here?"

"We rescued you," the changeling began, "and since you feel good, mind helping me wash the dishes?"

Reflect was going to ask why she had even bothered to use them when he realized that it was no use arguing with this creature. Shrugging, he began to pour soap and scrub the plates with a sponge.

"If you're wondering what I'm doing," the mare said, "you had developed a fever earlier. I had to get the medicinal ingredients and concoct a quick antidote. It took me the greater part of the day to do it and when I finished, well, I sorta fainted."

"I would have been able to help if you hadn't knocked me out so suddenly," Reflect hissed.

"Well," the other changeling said, "It wasn't like I had much of a choice. We needed to get you out as quietly as possible. The little noise that we did make was enough to alert the guards of our presence."

"Well," Reflect began, "at least let me know the next time you decide to do that. I've been knocked out twice already."

The changeling gave a chuckle. "Will do."

After they finished the dishes, the mare reverted to her changeling form. She the proceeded to tell him what has been happening. Apparently, an invasion was being prepared to commence at this very night, with changelings stationed in every household and cafe, ready to strike on the mark of whoever was in charge. As it turned out, the Commander was still in prison, though he would hopefully be released in the chaos. With the attack already being planned, she had dragged Reflect over to care for him in more ideal conditions.

When the changeling finished her tale, Reflect merely sighed.

"Have you found Zeth or Vapor?" he asked hopefully.

The changeling sighed. "No, I've not had the pleasure of seeing your two friends. Not all of us are here you know."

"I know," Reflect said, "but still, I made a promise to myself that I would find them. And by Chrysalis, I will do it!"

She nodded, knowing that through no ounce of reasoning could she convince her brother to stay another second in this household.

"Then," she said reluctantly, "I guess you have to go."

"Pretty much," Reflect mused, "but I am grateful for the care you've given me...ummm..."

"Transparence," she said, already knowing that the changeling still could not recall her, "my name is Transparence. You were in my class and I was the leader of that one operation the Queen threw you in."

"Ohhhhh..." Reflect grinned at her as the realization hit him. If he survived, maybe they would still have more operations to come.

"Take care Transparence," Reflect said as he bid her farewell.

"And good luck." She opened the door for the changeling to step out. The wind had picked up again, but with a deep breath, Reflect stepped into the cold, his mind set on the objective at hand.

With a sigh, she reverted back to her disguised form and laid down on the sofa. Her mind went back to all the other changelings out there, hiding in homes and in trees, just waiting for the time to strike. It would be an ambush to be remembered throughout all ages. A battle to be marked as either the rise or downfall of the hive.

So as she pondered on these thoughts, the knock on the door took her by surprise. Rushing to the latch, she pressed her hoof down to shine the lamp on the gold-plated helmet of an Equestrian guard. Gulping, she managed to speak.

"Hello there..."

"Captain Rosemary," the stallion seemed to growl, "and may I ask what a mare such as yourself is doing in the home of the florist, who happens to be on vacation?"

%%%%

Thresh looked back and forth, the moonlight circling around him, giving his contour a milky white gleam. But as far as he was concerned, it could have pointed a spotlight at him. No one would be awake at this time, making it almost pointless to have a disguise. By the time anyone even found out what events would be taking place, Thresh would be halfway across with his bounty.

"What's the plan Thresh?" his second-in-command asked.

"Get the bounty, bring it to the High-General, and then bring it to the Matriarch."

There was no rebuttal to this plan. It was simple and on top of that it was easy. There was only one guard on duty and at this time, he was probably snoozing.

With a jerk of his head, the four changelings stuck to the shadows casted off by the buildings, their jet-black shells providing the ultimate camouflage. Creeping towards the jailhouse, each one thought of his own award that awaited him at the end of the mission. The High-General promised riches greater then the Matriarch. Forbidden potions and items so rare that the mere thought made their mouths water. But Thresh had little concern for that. All he cared about was serving the Matriarch.

It was weird in a way, how changelings worked. Technically, they all had Chrysalis as their Queen. But as time flew on, the swarm was too crowded for the Badlands. So then changelings had to move to other parts of the country, forming settlements ruled by a general. Now that he came to think about it, the Matriarch seemed out of place in the hive. When she arrived, the colonies were in great distress. Power-hungry individuals were causing revolutions that began to raise awareness of changeling habitats.

Her arrival signaled the end to that. The starvation vanished as order was reestablished. The ones responsible for acts of retaliation were quietly assassinated, and before any of the pioneer settlements knew it, she had established a hold on them all, ruling them as if she was a queen. But still her origins were shrouded in mystery. Her purpose unclear, and even now her current actions known only by her most-trusted advisors within the Council of Generals. Thresh noticed that his second in command was feeling weezy.

"What's wrong Forge?" he asked, his voice filled with worry.

"Nothing Thresh," Forge said, "just a little anxious to get back to the settlement you know."

"Don't worry, we'll be back before tomorrow's sunset."

Thresh had little care for most changelings, as he was willing to gut them like fishes. However, Forge was different. He could trust his life with Forge, a changeling who thought top-hats were still stylish. If he could guarantee anything on this mission, it was that he was going to get his friend home. Even if he had to kill the Queen herself.

For safe measure, the four bandits dissolved in a flash of green, now showing a group of tan-colored ponies. As the four stallions in moustaches looked each other over, Thresh couldn't help but chuckle at how their hats still remained. It was a simple trademark, but one he was willing to allow. With a silent prayer, he led them to the ruby-red doors.

%%%%

The sound of the entrance creaking made the guard look up. Four roughly-built stallions with prominent moustaches and grime-covered hats stood awkwardly at the foot of the door.

"Can I help you gentlecolts?"

"Yes," one of the stallions said, "we were told that you needed some guards to watch the shift for the night?"

"Really now," the colt uttered. He had seen his fair share of law stallions in the past, but these four seemed to be from Appleloosa by the looks of it. Way to far out to be in Ponyville. But who knew, forces were being sent all over the country to help clean up the infestation.

"I'm pretty sure Clyde would have alerted me about something like this..." the colt informed, "maybe I ought to check it out..."

But he never got to finish his sentence as a blast of red energy slapped him in the chin, sending the colt right threw the wall. Other then the twitching of his left hind leg, the body was as still as a log. Exhaling, all four let the green flames consume them, reverting them back to their changeling selves.

"What is with these guards in checking in with their higher-ups?" Forge inquired.

"Beats me," Thresh murmured, "Cloak, why don't you go and open that cell door-"

As Cloak made his way, a stool whizzed a mere inch in front of Thresh's snout, shattering itself against the wall. Arching his head to meet the attacker, he was surprised to see a tired-old mare with glasses snorting at him, her eyes glowing with enmity.

"Why you shape-shifting varmin!" she hollered as she grabbed another stool.

Seeing as he was lucky she missed the first time, Thresh fired two shots for safe measure. The mare managed to doge the first projectile, but that left her right side open for the next one. The soft brown fur met the hard concrete barricade with a crack. Then, the old nag was as silent as a pile of rags.

"Now that that's over with," Thresh said," Cloak, could you do the honors?"

%%%%

The Commander was having another terrible dream. In it, he saw a pegasus jump in front of two guards, similar to the ones that took Reflect away. For a second, she seemed to fight them off, but as time progressed, it was clearly a losing battle. So turning to face the crowd that had gathered, she changed shape. Her tan coat became a sickly greenish-black, her eyes now cold and burning with fury.

Now he flashed forward to that same pegasus, holding a party cannon in one hoof. As he made his way to her, she turned the cannon and...fired at will!

The sound of the blast was so realistic that he woke up with a shriek. After a second's rest to catch up with his thoughts, he noticed that light was pouring in from the cell entrance. In fact, somepony was walking in the entrance. As his sensitive eyes squinted at the glare, he could make out a pair of moth-like wings and fangs. It was a changeling!

"Hey you there!" he called out, his hooves waving merrily.

The changeling tilted its head, as if unsure as to what to do in this situation, and then he called out to the door. "I found him!"

"Wait a second," the Commander blinked, "are you saying this is a rescue mission?"

"Errrr...sure." The changeling began to sluggishly nod up and down, his bowler hat bobbing like a piston.

It had taken some time, but finally his hive had rescued him! The Commander couldn't contain his joy as he jumped off the walls. When he finally rebounded to the floor, he did a quick dance before clamping onto the changeling.

"You have no idea," the Commander said, "how grateful I am that you have arrived. I mean I thought that you guys were all about forgetting me and stuff. But it turns out that you weren't. Which is all good in my story!"

"Yeah," the changeling murmured, "whatever...just come with me now and we'll get you back to the hive."

"Oh goody goody!" He bounced up and down like a foal who had won his stuffed animal at a circus.

The door had apparently been blasted into cinders, which explained the realistic sound of the cannon in his dream. As the two stepped into the lobby, the first thing he noticed was that all his saviors wore some sort of hat. One was a brown fedora with a rip in the center. Another one had a shiny top-hat on while the other two bore bowler hats. They all looked bewildered to see him.

"Thresh," the changeling accompanying the Commander said, "we rescued the general, now let's go and get him to safety."

"Alrighty then," the changeling with the fedora said after a momentary pause. Then, turning to face the Commander, he stated, "Let's get you out of here."

As the changelings passed through the ruby-red entrance, the Commander noticed that his guard had been knocked right through a wall. His body was still emitting a low groan.

"Hey," the Commander pointed a hoof towards his twitching friend, "Is he going to be alright?"

The one known as Thresh merely shrugged and told him that time was of the essence. The Commander waved a hoof back at his centurion. He felt awful about escaping, but alas it was inevitable. It had to happen eventually.

"If it makes you feel any better," the Commander whispered under his breath, "I was secretly hoping that Clyde would be the one to get blasted in my escape."

As they neared the block, the armored changeling took one last look at the yellow-bricked building. A tiny wisp of smoke was still coming off of the rubble around the guard, but other then that, it looked picture perfect. Almost friendly even. The Commander couldn't help but think of all the times he had shared in that establishment. From the arrival of Reflect to the pranks, to the Daring Doo books, and now to his escape.

"Thanks for everything."

He would never forget this experience. After all, he was the only changeling to have gone to the dungeons and lived to tell the tale. Maybe he would even write a book, along with the accounts of several other changelings out there. But what would the title be?

And with those last words still leaving his lips, he trotted off to catch up with the group, who disolved into the shadows.

%%%%

Transparence was sitting in a solid stone room, the only objects around her being two chairs and a steel table. A light bulb at the top dangled on a single thread, its beam animating the grey surface of the rock.

The sound of a door opening made her look up hopefully, expecting to see a brother or sister she knew who could bail her out of this mess. But alas, a griff-looking unicorn stood over the iron door, his face showing off a grim scowl.

"Have a seat Miss," the captain offered.

Heaving a sigh, the green pegasus buzzed her wings to the metal chair and sat down with a soft thump. The captain took a seat across from her, his horn organizing a set of white papers.

"Now Miss..."

"Mint Spring." she said calmly, "My name is Mint Spring, captain."

"Ms. Spring," the captain seemed to hang on to the last word, trying to express it with as much hate and accusation as he could manage, "you do know about the changeling invasion correct?"

"That I do," Transparence answered, "and I heard it was awful."

The guard only gave a flicker of surprise, before resuming his solemn position. It was hard not to laugh at how dedicated he was to the task of making her feel uncomfortable. Maybe he wanted to see if she would break down.

"Quite so," her interrogator remarked, "it was one of the worst incidents to ever befall Canterlot. However, there has been rumors going around of changelings on the loose. Surely you've heard of those?"

"No," she answered," I don't pay much attention to the papers."

"You should," the captain commented, "but you should also understand why it is illegal and mighty suspicious to stay in another pony's dwelling."

"For the last time," Transparence moaned," she said I could stay there. Because of the invasion, I had to move to Ponyville to find a job. My friend said she would take me in and so I stayed at her house. I've been a bit sick, so I needed to go and get medicine at the market place. I have nothing to hide."

"Maybe," the captain said," and maybe not."

"Oh come on!" she shouted, her hoof slamming the table. "Don't you have jobs that you ought to be doing? Why are you interrogating ponies in the middle of the night when you could be out there, watching out for danger?"

"Be aware, Ms. Spring," the captain assured, "that I have every soldier working on the double. They've been told to use lethal force on any changeling who resists arrest. Now, I'm not questioning you because I have nothing else to work on. I'm questioning you on suspicion. If you're not a changeling, then just relax, have a cup of tea, and answer the questions."

"Okay," she muttered, settling back down on the chair.

The rest of the conversation went without much opposition from either party. So far, she had stuck to her story and had made it as believable as one could get it. The captain merely scribbled on some of his papers, gave a cough, listened for a second, and repeated the process. It seemed as though the sun was going to rise any minute when the captain finally stopped probing her for answers.

"So far," he said, "you've passed with shining colors..."

Transparence exhaled in relief, happy to get back to her house and sleep it off.

"But I simply need to conduct a quick test on you to make sure you're not a changeling."

She froze solid. This was the part that every changeling dreaded. The spell would have no effect on a real pony. But it could peel off the disguise and expose any changeling it touched. It was the simplest of tests to conduct and there was no way a changeling could fool it.

"Can't we do it later?" she asked, her eyes pleading with the captain, "I'm awfully tired you know..."

"It'll be quick," the captain said as he stood up, "so quick you won't even feel a thing."

His horn began to glow, the blue energy whizzing as it prepared to smite her down. She only had one option, and as stupid as it sounded, she knew waiting for her impending revelation would just get her in hoofcuffs.

She tackled the captain, pinning him against the wall. His eyes wide in shock ,the unicorn made a move to scream for help. However, Transparence was two steps ahead of him, head-butting him in the forehead. The force was sufficient enough to knock him down to the floor. Taking in a deep breath, she unlocked the door, noticing that the hall was relatively empty.

Quickly pacing herself, she walked briskly across the lobby and out of the red-brick building. As soon as she was in the outdoors, she sighed in relief and took off into the moonlight. She needed to get as far away from that place as possible. As she whizzed by, she noticed a caravan situated near a tree. It occurred to her that this placement was so unusual that it appeared that it could be harboring a changeling or two. But then again, none of her brothers or sisters were that stupid.

Well...at least not stupid enough to just go with any changeling they met off the carapace.

Plots work better at night...pt 2

The Commander was getting tired of the pace they were making. They had left the edge of town and Thresh had stressed that a hike up the mountains would be the best way to put as much distance between them and the Equestrian guards.

"There is no way that I'm going up another mile," the Commander moaned.

Cloak thrashed his head to glare at the Commander. "For the last time, I said we needed it to get as far away from the authorities as possible. You've been complaining the whole way here and I'm sick and tired of it." The Commander gave a huff and trudged on, his eyes looking back at the shrinking outline of Ponyville.

Ponyville. The place that convicted him for three counts of public indecency and one count of participating in an invasion against Equestria. And yet, it was also the place where he met individuals he would never forget. Reflect, who by now was somewhere in the woods. Princess Luna, whose radiant beauty was unmatched. Even that guard had some humor in him.

As they walked, the Commander gazed at the forest ahead. The pale, blue mist leered over the trees, as if it was a transparent river of sorts. The sounds of birds, the howls of wolves, and the chitter of other mysterious creatures could be picked up by the changeling's ears. As the group went deeper along the brush of the trees, they froze. For a crack of the bushes put each changeling on alert.

"What was that?" Cloak asked.

"I don't know," Thresh mused, walking forward, his eyes scanning the area,"it certainly wasn't..."

He paused, staring at the forest. Turning to his associate he hissed. "Set up camp, I know who it is."

With a sigh, he proceeded into the dark, misty woodland of the Everfree, leaving the four changelings to look on in puzzlement.

%%%%

Reflect had been going non-stop for a good hour or so, his wings already giving in to the lack of energy he had to spare. Right now, his form was buzzing swiftly over the Eastern side of Manehattan, the city lights twinkling like the night sky above. Oh how he remembered his time back there.

It had been a routine route that the changeling hive often passed, and usually was the most productive. At night-time, most of the stallions would be too drunk on cider to realize their dates bearing fangs that they would give their love regardless of such. When the drones and scouts returned, they would detail the stories they collected. In almost every case, the colt, stallion, or mare was completely intoxicated, unable to repsond to the slighte stimulus.

Well it's worth a shot he thought absently as he prepared for a landing. The gusts of wind were picking up, tossing his body around like a loose feather in the breeze. He had to fight to stabilize his entire figure from spiraling down. He was a couple of meters from landing when a black shadow collided with his body, sending his trajectory straight for an alleyway trash can.

Getting back on his hooves, he growled in frustration. "What the hay was that-"

But just then a bright emerald flash shot out and stunned him before he could utter another word. Before he fell into his dream-like state of unconsciousness, Reflect had only one thing to say. "Not again..."

%%%%

She could feel the animosity emanated from the Council, their wings fluttering occasionally as she began the meeting. It was clear that they had been talked to. But by whom? She had hoped that the other swarms would see fit to overthrow Chrysalis. Especially after what had happened in Canterlot.

In the beginning, they had agreed with her. In fact, one of them even volunteered to capture the heathens for her. But for some reason, rumors have been circulating detailing that she was not the pure-blood they all had originally found her to be.

"So I assume the hives are doing well?" she asked.

One of the generals stood up, his eyes riveted on her. "So far your Highness, the north has completely gone into chaos. Las Pegasus is no more. And I believe I represent everyone when I say this...but your order to do nothing has caused all the hives to weaken."

"We're starving out here," another voice whined.

The council hissed in agreement, their hate now almost palpable. The Matriarch composed herself, taking in a deep breath before saying. "It is necessary that we do not retaliate. For it could create harmful consequences in the future. Have you not seen what the Queen has done?"

"The Queen was thinking about her subjects," another voice shouted. There were murmurs of support and the hate only grew. "Queen Chrysalis' idea to invade the Pony continent would bring food to last generations!"

"And then what," the Matriarch hissed, "you'll have no love afterwards. Right now, we need to think about the long term consequences..."

"If we even live that long..." a general muttered.

The Matriarch didn't know how much more she could hold them back. It was clear that someone had been talking to them, but who would do such a thing. Certainly not Chrysalis, for she was gone. But what about her subjects. It could be possible that they had somehow convinced the other tribes to give in. It was fight or die now, and the Matriarch knew very well what it meant.

We did it all the time when the clans fought for power back home. Her mind drifted off to the times when she wasn't a changeling. To the time before she escaped from that living Tartarus and came here, gathering the settlements and turning them into working machines that produced an amount of love that could rival with the Queen's own forces. And better yet, she had gotten them to turn on their mother. But alas, revenge always had its fallbacks.

And she was about to see it play out before her very eyes...

%%%%

"So what do we do now?" The Commander moaned.

Forge thought for a moment, then directed his hooves to his fellow changelings, barking orders as he did so, "Cloak, gather wood, Blend, go and start the fire with your horn, General, errrrrr...stay still..."

"Excuse me," The Commander replied irritably, "I am a Commander in Chief of her Royal Highness Chyrsalis, do not refer to me as a mere general or else I'll hold you for insubordination good sir."

"Commander..." Forge muttered, "ummmm why don't you help me set up camp?"

In a minute or so, the wool sacks they called beds were set around the fire, which was giving off an orange glow over the brown dirt nearby the trail. Over the fire, the changelings shared old tales of brave warriors and hilarious quests of empathy-sick drones. However, as time progressed, the changelings had little to say to one another.

The silence was unbearable. So far, the only noise that could be heard was a cricket, who even now had given up hope at ever hearing another peep from the group again, falling asleep by a leaf.

"How about a song?" The Commander offered.

"A what?" Forge said, his eyes raised.

"A song, don't you changelings sing songs?"

"Well," Cloak began, "we tried, but let's just say there aren't that many that we can relate to."

The Commander stood up, his ebony-plated chest puffed up as if he had just eaten a large meal. Staring down at them, he said, "Fear not, for I have a song we can all sing." Then with a flash of his horn, a guitar magically appeared in his hooves and he sat back down on his rump, a smug smile plastered over his face.

"This one is a song I learned from a few changelings back in Trottingham, though the lyrics, no offense, make little to no sense at all."

Taking in a deep breath, he began to sway his hooves over the strings, producing a dry wave of noise that for some odd reason, was slightly amusing. So for the time being, the changelings just listened as the Commander tried to vocalise the words, which in their minds, wasn't too bad.

"When I get him, well I know i'm gonna be,

I'm gonna be the stallion who wakes up next you

When I get her, yeah I know I'm gonna be

I'm gonna be the mare who trots along with you

If I get drunk, on that cider by a tree

I'm gonna be the colt who gets drunk next to you

And if I shape shift, Yeah you won't know which one's me

I'm gonna be the colt who's two feet left from you"

The tune suddenly rushed into a heated string of music that brought back memories of long trips over the desert, when all they had to do was make terrible puns and still laugh all the way.

"But I would change 500 forms

And I would change 500 more

Just to be the one who changed a thousand forms

To get that love of yours"

"When I'm changing, yes I know I'm gonna be

I'm gonna be changing a form that's familiar with you

And with the love that , comes in for the work I do

I'll pass almost every ounce of it to you

I'm a changeling (I'm a changeling), well I know I'm gonna be

I'm gonna be the colt who lives with you

And if I goooooo, well you will never know

that it was me who was at home along with you"

By the time he went back into the chorus, all three of the cow-changelings were jumping up and down in merry dance, singing to their hearts content. No longer, were they bounty hunters on a mission. They were all a bunch of mates at a campfire with lousy music. And they loved it.

"But I would change 500 forms

And I would change 500 more

Just to be the one who changed a thousand forms

To get that love of yours"

The Commande cried over the noise. "This is that part where I start making random noises, let's see if you can keep up!"

" da da da (da da da)

da da da (da da da)

dum diddle dum diddle dum diddle do da day

da da da (da da da)

dum diddle dum diddle dum diddle do da day"

The group had barely gotten through, but they were ready for the next set. As they jumped up and down, Cloak took out two twigs and began to bang them against a stump.

"When I'm lonely, well I know I'm gonna be

I'm gonna be losing all my energy

And when I'm dreaming, well I know I'm gonna dream

I'm gonna Dream about all the love I got from you

When I go out(When I go out), well I know I'm gonna be

I'm gonna be the colt that sells the milk to you

And when I leave you(When I leave you), yes I know I'm gonna be

I'm gonna be the drone who works in Hive-block B.

I'm gonna be the drone who's getting loooooovvveeeee from you.

But I would change 500 forms

And I would change 500 more

Just to be the one who changed a thousand forms

To get that love of yours

da da da (da da da)

dum diddle dum diddle dum diddle do da day

da da da (da da da)

dum diddle dum diddle dum diddle do da day

da da da (da da da)

dum diddle dum diddle dum diddle do da day

da da da (da da da)

dum diddle dum diddle dum diddle do da day

But I would change 500 forms

And I would change 500 more

Just to be the one who changed a thousand forms

To get that love of yours"

The guitar vanished in another flash of smoke. The changelings stomped the ground, cheering the armored changelng for his rather grand idea. All the Commander did was bow, taking in the applause he so dearly deserved-at least in his mind he thought he deserved it-.

"Amazing!"

"Stupendous!"

"Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!"

Cloak and Blend turned their heads to view Forge, who looked at them in defiance. "What? It's a real word I swear!"

But after a while, they merely laughed, and chuckled, and rolled over the floor.

Never noticing the pair of unknown changelings advancing upon their position...

%%%%

Transparence landed neatly in front of the green building she had called home. Taking in a deep breath, she opened the doors. Other then the light, nothing had been touched. Moving swiftly, she picked up herbs, blankets, and anything that had alerted of a pony ever being here.

She rinsed the dishes, and cleaned the table so that it was spotless, but not spotless enough to make anypony think that a changeling had been living here for the last few days. When she felt that she was content with what she saw, she trotted out, and began to make her way towards the prison.

It was only a matter of time now that she had so foolishly revealed herself before they got to the Commander. She didn't exactly have a plan in mind, but she could figure something out later. As she flew over the silent houses, she could make out random ponies gathering in the darkness.

Changelings. She thought grimly. She would have been there to if it hadn't been for that annoying captain, but for now, she had only one goal in mind. Once she completed that, then she would be even and would never owe another changeling anything anymore. The Commander may have been a jerk, but he had saved her life and that was a favor she needed to return.

As the yellow-brick building rose over the path, she paused, hovering in the air. The building seemed normal...except for the pile of rubble jutting nest to it. In fact, a feeble lamp was glowing over the door that had been left ajar. Careful to not wake anypony, she tip-hoofed her way to the entrance.

An armored guard was spread over the rubble, his mouth giving short breaths. In the room, another pony, a mare by the looks of it, was plopped against the wall, her body as still as a pile of rags. And at the cell door was...nothing. The door had been left opened, and as Transparence sneaked a look, she could tell that the occupants had been long gone. Whoever had done this had done it late in the night, and was probably not too far away.

"But who would do such a thing?"

%%%% (During the song)

She stood there in the moonlight, her eyes glinting like gems. Her armor gave off long white bands of moonlight that raced across like stripes. A ragged old pony doll laid in the opposite hoof as a chess board stood in front of her, already set for a game.

Thresh took in a breath, muttering to himself before he came forward. So far, only one other changeling had accompanied the High-General, but it was still something that he felt was unwise. As he moved forward, the changeling gave a giggle.

"Look Mr. Smartypants, that mean-old banditto is here to negotiate with us..."

Talk about a maniac Thresh thought, his entire posture tense as he approached the female changeling. She was clearly delusional, or caught up in some fantasy world that no other changeling dared to venture into. Or she was a complete psychopath that won't take "no" for an answer. In which case, he would be content with slitting her throat and leaving it at that.

"So you wished to see me?"

"Yes," Double said, her tone growing cold, "I assume you have him correct?"

"Would I be here if I didn't?" Thresh mused, his eyes riveted on her postion.

Double gave off another fit of laughter before continuing. "Yes, I suppose your right. Anyhow, there has been a change of plans..."

"How so," Thresh interrupted, "I thought it was settled that we spare your life for this piece of work."

Double merely laughed, moving a chess piece in front of her. Though her appearance was rather innocent, Thresh couldn't help but stare at her as if she was some sort of criminal. It had been odd enough that she had bargained another changeling's life for hers, but now she was trying to convince him to give that very changeling...to her?

"Did you think you were sparing my life," Double asked in the most quiet voice he had ever heard. "Did you think I was in those strong hooves of yours?"

She moved another piece diagonally from the other, so that Thresh found his entire side surrounded by a semicircle of white pawns, rooks, king, queen, and even knights. "I had made sure I was in control from the start. You are merely another pawn in my plan."

"What the heck are you talking about?" Thresh blurted, "are you insane or are you making a special effort today?"

"You see," Double said casually, "in chess, you need to juggle multiple tasks. Make sure that each piece does what it must do correctly. Do it in such a way that your opponent would never guess...and then when the time is right...you execute it."

Thresh could only watch her as she continued to play with the board, moving pieces here and there like some sort of puzzle that she already knew the solution for.

"I don't understand..."he said, "why then did you need me? You could have gotten him yourself."

"Well..." Double said, "you are very special to me, Threshy. Afterall, how can I forget a changeling who was once the High-General himself?"

Thresh's mouth gaped. No one knew about that, not even Forge. It was a past he had tried to forget, and a past he was sure no one would remember anyhow. He had had a different name back then.

"How...who...I don't..." He was beginning to choke, his hooves falling back as his system went into shock. Then, before he could get back up, he fell to the ground.

"Oh Thresh," she said as she walked over to his writing body. "don't you remember me?"

Thresh managed to control himself, his body still aching but stable enough for him to talk.

"You're...but I thought the Queen got rid of you..."

"You see Thresh," she said, "I had a life before this. Before you took me and tossed me in there like I was nothing."

"Believe me," Thresh pleaded, "I had no choice, I'm-I'm sorry."

"Are you?" She questioned.

"Oh for crying out loud Double I quit the job after that! Let the past be the past. Don't go into hyperdrive over something that had happened years ago-"

Double smashed her hoof over his chest, her eyes glaring like daggers in the lamplight. "I had a family Thresh! I had one and now you took it away..."

"I did it so you could be a part of our family..." Thresh whispered, "at the time, I thought I was doing the right thing. But when I saw what Chyrsalis was doing, I-I couldn't live with myself. She was nothing like her mother, Metamorphosis. You-you were a mistake that's all. And when she wanted you back, I thought she would take care fo you."

"Well, the only one who's taken care of me is Mr. Smartypants here," she rubbed the doll against her cheek. "He really wants to see his twin now doesn't he?"

"What...what have they done to you?" Thresh whispered.

"It will be nothing in comparison to what I'll do to the swarm when I'm done. And I'll start with your little prisoner."

And with that, she fired a green bolt of magic that caused Thresh to go in a pastic dance. Smiling to herself, she turned to the two guards that had materialized out fo the shadows.

With a flick of her hoof, she mouthed the words. "Get them."

%%%%

"And just who are you?" Forge slurred, for his body was ready for a good nap.

"We are here to take the prisoner in custody." One of the guards bellowed.

Oh shoot Forge thought wide-eyed.

"Prisoner?" The Commander mused, "Who here is a prisoner?"

The guards have him a quizzical look, and then stared back at Forge. "He went with you willingly?"

Forge merely gave a chuckle, his face blushing from pure embarrassment. The Commander was still as clueless as ever, looking from him, to the guard, and back to him. "Ummmm...he sort of believes were rescuing him."

"Rescuing?" The Commander began to look desperately at the other changelings, who did not return his stare as they dedicated the full attention of their sensory organs to the ground below.

"You mean..."his voice grew with rage, "that this was all a lie? A hoax so that you could take me to the dungeon? But I don't get it? I thought the swarm wanted me back..."

"Listen General Carbon," the guard uttered, "don't even bother with fleeing. We'll catch you. Just come quietly and everything will be okay..."

The Commander looked up, his face filled with bewilderment. "General Carbon? I'm the Commander in Chief! I'm not a buckin' general!"

The guards merely raised their brows, unconvinced by the changeling's outburst. "Likely story General, but we all know that the Commander did not survive Canterlot, which is why the other second-in-command, High-General Double, is executing the moves which you have had the displeasure of criticizing."

"What are you talking about?" The Commander cried, "For the last time, I'm not that general. I'm the one who controls the generals. The only reason I have this armor was because the swarm was having budget cuts for Celestia's sake."

The two guard merely grunted and made their way towards him, "You've tried my patience enough, time to go and-"

"Hold on a second," Forge cried.

Every changeling stared at the top hat-bearing drone. Cloak the spoke up. "What are you doing Forge?"

"I don't trust you to take him," he finally blurted.

"What? But Thresh himself said-"

"Then let me talk to Thresh," Forge said, causing the two guards to give a glint of panic. "I know Thresh like a brother and he would check with me first before giving a-a prisoner up."

Seeing as the guards did nothing, he continued. "So if it's okay with you fine gentlelings, I would like to check this in with my brother before-"

"What is with these guys and checking in with their higher ups?" The guard yelled as he fired a shot that whizzed by Forge's head.

As the changeling ducked, he saw the blast hit Blend directly, sending the changeling back into the bushes. Cloak gave a howl of fury as he fired upon the guards, who put up a blue bubble around them. The beams of light bounced back, deflected by the shield spell. And they had been rebounded directly into an open-mouth Cloak.

"Run Commander!" Forge screamed, his horn firing volley after volley to keep the guards at bay.

The changeling was frozen, taken aback by the shear amount of combat that was taking place. Forge sighed inwardly as he yelled back to the changeling.

"Commander, run for your buckin life you resin-secreted piece of rubbish!"

Getting back to his sense, the changeling turned high-tail and dashed down the road, towards the still sleeping town of Ponyville.

It's the least I can do for you partner Forge sighed as a blast knocked him over like a train going full speed. He was tossed into the air and landed with a sickening crack. Stumbling up, he fell back on his hooves. One of them was slightly fractured. Looking up, he could see one of the guards walking up to his figure, ready to finish what he started.

"There isn't any time, we need to get him," the other guard hissed.

With one last glare at the fallen changeling, the guard ran with his partner to catch up. Forge rolled over his belly and began to crawl his way up to a neraby branch that had been snapped off in the fight. Using it to stabilize himself, he began to make his way towards the forest.

After several excruciating minutes, he found his brother lying over a tossed chess board, his eyes forced to gaze at the rising sun. No longer able to hold himself, Forge collapsed next to his brethren. It would take a good hour or so to heal before he coud stand back up.

"Fo-Forge?" came the raspy whisper of hie fellow brother.

"Eeyup," Forge replied, " what happened to you?"

"Double-crossed" Thresh choked.

"Why that back-stabbing piece of varmin," Forge's voice was filled with fury. When he got his hooves on her...

"Don't...," Thresh said, his voice growing fainter by the minute, "just don't...let...her..."

But Thresh grew quiet, going into a state of unconsciousness as his form rested soundly. Forge could only whimper silently as he was alone with his sleeping partner. As he gazed up at the stars, he could see dawn approaching. When he healed over, he would take his fellow comrades to a safer area to heal. And then when he was finished, he would find the Commander.

I just hope he can outrun those guards...

How to cause a public disturbance at 4 in the morning...

Running. It's natural to most changelings, but for every one in a dozen, its a strenuous activity. One could even say that it was torture. Sadly, this was the exact case for the Commander as he dashed down the road. His hooves were moving at full capacity, beads of sweat already permeating over his shell. Turning back, he noticed the two guards were flying over his tail, snickering to each other.

"Out for a stroll?" He called.

The response came with a beam of energy whizzing right past his horn.

"A simple 'no' would do." And with that, he leapt out of the pathway and into the forest, where branches nearly cut his horn clean off. He had no idea where he was, but all that mattered was too keep as much distance between his pursuers as possible. Running to the edge of a waterfall, he flew across the cliff, and continued in the direction that he figured the town would lie in. Hopefully, he would be able to find some way out of this forest soon.

His prayers were answered when the dark shadows of buildings appeared over the horizon, lying neatly on its hills. Taking in a breath of relief, the Commander rushed out of the tree line, a cottage easily seen from the distance.

Already his lungs were on the verge of exploding from the shear amount of air intake. Pausing himself for a breather, the changeling trotted towards the quiet buildings ahead. Even at this time of night, there were still ponies moving to and fro, not caring at all about the time but rather about their business. It was odd, considering how majority of the population had a unanimous curfew of around 9 o'clock. Technically, changelings also had a curfew to abide by, but the Commander never cared. It was always the best time to play tricks on his fellow members.

Like this one time when he saw Ditto sleeping in her own special section of the hive. The trick itself involved a hornet's nest and a jar of honey. Sneaking in after curfew, he and two other changelings smothered the wingless creature's horn in the sticky substance. Then, they released the wasps upon her. The resulting screams woke up half the hive. Afterwards, Ditto had to go for treatment in bee stings, and he himself landed two weeks on maintenance duty. But it was still, at least in his opinion, totally worth it.

Or there was this other time where he set a trap for Mirror. It was during his guard shift, and he could already tell the changeling was having another "session" with one of the cocooned creatures. Laying a bucket of water over the entrance, he hovered expectantly. As Mirror trotted out, he dumped the water over the changeling, who had jerked forward in surprise at the ice-cold liquid. Thus, she tripped over a well-placed peel that he had found in the hive rubbish pile. That alone had gotten him another three weeks on maintenance duty.

But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get any of those changelings to laugh. At least, at the time, his two friends Alter and Shift could share in a good laugh. But when he pranked any other changeling all it did was get them to despise him. In fact, he was sure there was some bond of friendship that they formed after his pranks. Well, when he was promoted to Commander, he never got the time to prank anyone anyway. In fact, he became a shadow of his former self. And he loathed it.

By now, he was snaking his way across alleyways, careful not to trip over anything that could make a noise. The walls were coated in a neat, green tint as every so often, a window would light up and the silhouette of a pony nursing their child could be seen.

Crates lined the backside of most walls, along with a few carts still filled to the brim with hay. The alleyways were much cleaner then he had expected. Apparently, Ponyville wasn't like most cities, where garbage could easily be found anywhere. No, this was the kind of place where rubbish was rarely, if ever, found lying two feet near the ground.

BOOM!

The blast sent the Commander flying into a wall, his eyes gazing up in horror as two sleek shapes descended upon him.

"Stop right there criminal scum!" the guards yelled.

"Oh great," the Commander muttered, "and to think I was going to get to eat that sweet roll at Sugarcube Corner."

With a rush of speed the Commander dashed down the alleyway, his chasers biting at his tail. He made a turn, then a twist as he ducked over a low plank. There was a yelp and the sound of wood cracking. As he dared to take a look, the Commander could see that at least one of the guards was incapacitated, his body strewn over the debris.

With a smirk, he continued to run, thinking of anything, or anyone, he could use to save himself. He drifted to the right, utilizing his wings for support as inertia threatened to tear his body apart. He made another dash for an adjoining alleyway before coming to a halt, his body pressed against the wall as he gulped the sweet air.

The sound of clopping caused his ears to straighten. Holding in his gut, he waited anxiously. For a good moment or two, there was the sound of raspy breathing. And then...silence.

The Commander didn't know how long he stood there, not even daring to flinch, when he decided to take in another breath. The centurion must have taken off by now. Sighing to himself, the Commander began to think back to his would-be saviors.

He still couldn't believe those back-stabbing traitors. Yet, why then were they all attacked? And why had that one changeling begged the Commander to run off and save himself. The more and more he thought about it, the less and less he understood. And then there was the matter of actually doing something. He couldn't go back to the hive, nor could he go back to his prison for that matter.

Which left him only one other option. He had to hide. Closing his eyes, the changeling began to concentrate on the memories shared earlier. He remembered Rainbow Dash and the Quest of the Lost Scone. That was when he had decided to transform into that night guard of Princess Luna.

Ah-ha! With a flash of green, the armored changeling was replaced by a guard in golden armor, whose prominent brown moustache set off his milky white coat.

"Well I suppose this will do for now," the Commander murmured in his Trottingham accent, "at least I still have my helm-"

The green beam of energy whizzed over his head and sizzled into the wall a mere millimeter off course, searing the top of his helmet in the process. With a yelp, the Commander dashed off into the road, looking back to see two furious looking swarm guards gaining speed. No longer in the alleyways, he ran past carts, his hooves skipping to avoid each blast that produced a crater in the dirt.

Meanwhile, lights flickered open as the commotion woke ponies from their early-morning dreams. A few of them slid down the windows, their faces covered with green mud masks as they moaned.

"What the heck is going on here?"

"It's 4' am in the morning..."

"I swear it better be changelings to be causing this much noise."

"Oh for Celestia's sake," The Commander yelled, "go back to bed! And let the guards handle it alright?" With a few grunts and groans, the heads bobbed back inside. Then the lights flickered off one by one, leaving the three changelings to duel it out. The Commander could feel a painful stab penetrate his chest, causing him to wheeze.

If he didn't lose them soon, he would likely die of exhaustion. Searching around, he noticed a shiny glimmer coming from one of the nearby tree trunks. Curiosity outweighing instinct, he set his course for the old oak. As he neared the little trunk, he saw the rubber surface of nothing other then a...

"...a ball and an eye-patch?"

Apparently, some foal must have left his toys behind. Cursing himself for even considering the tree, a lightbulb flashed over his head. Maybe...just maybe...this could come in handy. Snatching the eyepatch and rubber ball, he turned around to face the two guards, who landed side by side in front of him.

"You're trapped now" a guard sneered.

"Resistance is futile General Carbon," another said.

The Commander smirked. He had never dreamed that learning this absurd skill would save him in real life, but fate was somehow mocking his entire existence anyway. Raising his hooves in the air, the Commander knelt down.

"Looks like I've met my match, but will you fine gents entertain a fellow before he goes?"

"Buck you General," the guard hissed, "we're taking you in and that's-"

Pulling the strap back like a sling-shot, the Commander fired the eye-patch directly at the guard. With a twirl, it stuck to his eye. Then, pulling his hind legs back, he grabbed the ball and launched it with as much energy as he could manage. The ball hit the other guard with tremendous force, rebounding itself towards his partner, who by now was screaming that a spider had landed on him. But his shrieks of fear were instantly silenced when the ball bounced off his head, causing him to tumble towards his already unconscious friend.

It was entertaining really, to see the two slouched over each other in a dog pile. The Commander ought to do it more often.

Grinning to himself, the Commander flew off. Below him, buildings were slowly becoming more vibrant, their walls a bright pink as the sun began to slowly rise over the horizon. Now that his pursuers were out of the way, the Commander needed to think of his next phase. Clearly, his swarm was still out there, but if any of them were like Reflect, then maybe he could rescue them, especially now that changelings were turning on each other.

But why? he thought angrily. It didn't make sense to turn on one another. And it certainly didn't make sense that they were doing it now of all times, when the swarm was divided and scattered over the four winds.

Could it be that conflict with Carbon and Double? Well, he had never really paid much attention to politics within the swarm hierarchy, but since his life was now in peril because almost everyling considered him to be the hot-headed general, his mind dwindled on what he had remembered. Whenever there was mention of those two, the generals and chiefs would gossip over the lastest argument, or in some cases brawls, that erupted between them.

Next to the Commander, the High-General was also second-in-command. The difference being that the Commander-in-Chief was appointed in times of conflict, usually by the High-General, but sometimes by the Queen if she had the time. Then, both changelings would rule with equal power until they died. It usually worked out, since wars were rare between the swarm and other races.

General Carbon was supposedly the one to become High-General, or at least Commander of the Canterlot invasion. But then that job was given to the real Commander, and Double was not going to back out of her position any time soon. So, Carbon decided to wage his own private little war with Double, since he didn't need to argue with the Queen over a position she herself had chosen for a specific changeling. Besides, Carbon knew that the changeling already who was Commander was more then qualified.

Still, the Commander knew him to have short tempers, charging head-long into enemy occupation without a moment's haste. Double on the other hand, was more refined, sticking to shadows and espionage. Either way, the hive was split on the matter of who was fit to lead.

As he buzzed over the town square, memories of his trial flooded his mind. Oh how radiant Princess Luna was. Oh how annoying everypony else had been. And oh how he loathed that Princess Celestia and those Elements of Harmony. Even though Pinkie and Fluttershy were nice, they didn't exactly show compassion to him when he was trapped in a cage, on his way to their local dungeon.

Why, he was sure that if any changeling had landed in their backyard, they'd as soon as toss them into the dungeon as well. Well, when this was over, he would make sure to pay all those Elements a visit. Perhaps a prank, or maybe a prank involving a dozen or so soldiers. He was still the Commander after all. He had the power to veto the High-General, and equal control over all the others. In fact, it was said that the Commander had his own special armor, but that budget cuts had cost the hive to scratch the design and throw out the "tailor".

Just then, a green flash rushed past him, causing him to plummet out of control for a second or two. Turning around, he called out to the speeding creature, who happend to be a pegasus. "Why don't you watch the skies dingbat!"

The green mare turned to face him, her eyes widened. Turning back, she rushed towards the city ground below.

"What's with her?" The Commander muttered.

Then with a flap of his wings, he descended upon her, landing a few feet away. The pegasus jerked back, fear in her eyes as she continued to run away from him.

"Don't worry," he called out, "I'm a guard see? I ain't gonna hurt you!"

But the pegasus merely took off into the skies. Sighing to himself, the Commander ran after her, humming a tune along the way.

Reflect's eyes shuttered open, his head dizzy from the third knock back spell this week. Stumbling to his hooves, the environment slowly began to take shape from its nebulous beginnings. He was in a room of some sort, colored red with matching couches and furniture. Two black shapes stood over him, their shadows casted off by the fire in the corner of the four-sided permitter.

"Reflect?" one of the voices called out.

"How the buck do you know my-" Reflect froze where he laid. He knew that voice, but hadn't heard it for what seemed like eons.

Two familiar toothy grins. A serpent-like frill only found in changelings. The wings of a rotten moth. The hole-filled hooves of true warriors and brothers. But the voice was enough to let him know who these two changelings were. Before he knew it, Reflect jumped into the air and locked Vapor and Zeth in a bear hug.

"Boy am I glad to see you," he nearly wailed, "I thought you two were captured or worse."

"Touche my good friend," Zeth added, "we though you were some guard on patrol who had discovered our hide-out. Only when we gave a closer look, did we see an actual changeling in our midst."

"By the way," Vapor added, "Zeth here was the one who conjured up that spell. So if you had any complaints, direct it at him."

Reflect merely smirked at his mate's comment. "Don't worry. I've been hit by that spell so many times I think I'm developing an immunity towards it."

The trio rolled over the floor in laughter, their lungs filling with air was they did so. When the cackling finally subsided, Reflect asked the question that had been on his mind for ages. "What happened to you two?"

Zeth took on a solemn stare, his eyes riveted on the sun rising over the skyline of the waking city. "We've been here for around a few days or so. When we got separated, me and Vapor here took over a couple's apartment, saying that we were merely guests of anypony came by. Then, we proceeded to gather energy. Though, with all the changeling nonsense started by the invasion, you can guess how well that went."

Reflect nodded, understanding the hardships that his friends must have gone through. "I can't say that I was undercover for long either."

Zeth raised a brow, but continued anyway. "Well we did manage to hold up. And then we found those colonists from the Manehattan branch. The one's that are stationed here permanently. They weren't too friendly, blaming us for all the chaos and pandemonium going on. Anyway, later on, we received word from the High-General of an attack taking place in Ponyville. We were already being hunted down by guards, and so we were just leaving town when you showed up."

"Lucky timing I suppose," Reflect said, "so then I guess there isn't much discussion as to what we do next correct?"

"They'll need all the forces they can muster," Vapor added.

With a sigh, the changelings slowly opened the window, their eyes scanning for any patrols. Thankfully, it was still early enough that the town was mostly in a deep slumber. With a flash, their wings began to beat at an alarming rate, helping them soar against the ocean current that swept inland from the coast.

As they soared over hills, houses, farms, and plains, Zeth pulled out a blue, ebony plated helmet. Then, his hooves bracing the wind, he handed it to Reflect, who cradled the helmet in his hooves.

"When we get down there they'll need to know your rank, General Fury."

Invasions and Reveals...

Humming his tune softly in his head, the Commander raced towards the changeling leader, his eyes riveted on the scene laid out before him. A green pegasus was running down the alleyway, her eyes avoiding his gaze as he called out. "Hey, I'm just a guard, stand your ground!"

With a spurt of her wings, she lifted off into the air, causing the Commander to sigh as he followed in close pursuit. In all reagards, he should have stopped by now, but the point was that he couldn't resist a good chase. Especially one that he could become a part of.

With another rush of speed, he raced forward, until he was near inches from the pegasus. The green mare was faster then she looked. But he was gaining speed on her, his wings beating at 100 beats per second. There was no way she could get rid of him now, no-

"What in the name of-!" The wooden pole came out of nowhere, causing the Commander to try and brake hard. However, as all things go, he was speeding and what happened next was inevitable. Oof! His face slammed straight into the rock-hard surface, causing his face to flatten abnormally and stars to engulf his mind.

"I...hate...trees..." was all he got to moan as his form slowly slid down the trunk of the maple to the ground, an array of stars forming the night sky as he slipped into unconsciousness.

Captain Rosemary stood over his desk, a bright pink bump jutting out of his head like some sort of tree stump. The night-shift guard had finally found him in the interrogation room, a puddle of fluid formed around him. So far, his assailant had high-tailed it out of the base without a trace. But the fact still remained that his secret couldn't be kept for long.

The sun was already rising over a skyline of trees ahead. "Another day," he muttered, "another creep to catch." He was looking over the files of every new pony that had arrived within the week. There was Sparkler, a cousin of one of the Elements of Harmony, who was an accomplished jewelry salespony. There was the green pegasus that had assaulted him, posing as the florist's friend. There was some sort of magician who went by the title of The Great and Powerful Trixie.

Rosemary scowled at his eyes scanned Trixie's file. He hated showmares as much as he hated Discord. The whole bunch of them were shallow, prideful, in-compassionate loud-mouths who were as animated as their files. And the ones who weren't in Hollyhoof, or in Las Pegasus, were deceiving thieves who followed their predecessor's principle to deceive and oversell the product.

Another pony had also arrived in the following weeks. However, these were moreover visitors, and so, their files were likely kept in the hometown of origin. Mirror Match, apparently a Daring Do look-alike. According to her file, the mare was friends with the Element of Kindness and Laughter. Since the Elements had fought the changelings first-hoof, he couldn't exactly suspect this particular mare of being a changeling. But that didn't mean he wouldn't try. After all, a shopkeeper had been complaining about her agressive and assertive behavior.

The next file was even more ambiguous then the first. Apparently, some sort of black mare who so far, he hadn't been able to get a name out of yet. After all, these files still had fresh ink on their pages. But from what he did know, the traveler was currently staying at the Element of Magic's house. Another dead end.

He sighed, throwing the parchment back in the bin. The fact that the Canterlot Guard had received all these files, and the fact that everypony was being closely monitored for changeling activity, made it seem as though catching these fiends would be easy. But every guard knew that changelings devoted their life to disguising themselves. That was when the creak of the door caused him to gaze up at two guards.

"Grimoire and Spell Tome reporting for duty sir," the guards made a salute as they entered his quarters.

"At ease," Captain Rosemary said as the guards stood stoically in front of him.

"As you may have known, we've been having a bit of a changeling infestation within the city. I need you two to go out and start looking for anypony who might be suspicious. At the moment, we have a few leads, but the moment any of them find out what we're up to, they'll make a run for it and be lost for another day or two until we can pinpoint their location again. Do you understand me?"

"Sir yes sir!" The guards turned to depart before Rosemary raised a hoof.

"Check the jail cell first, I heard there's a leadership caste imprisoned inside. Maybe he can help you."

"And if he doesn't?" Grimoire asked anxiously.

Captain Rosemary gave him a dark stare as if it was obvious what to do next. "Then force him." With another nod, the guards rushed down the corridor, leaving the captain to look through more files. The secret was out, and now he would have to prepare for the invasion. It was time to adress Princess Luna on the matter. And prepare the rest of Equestria for the storm that was about to arrive.

Light began to filter into the colt's eyes, causing him to slowly come into consciousness. His back was aching and he was sure he had sprained one of his hind hooves. He would need to visit Nurse Redheart to get a full diagnosis of the injuries sustained. A breeze was blowing through his snout and grime-filled fur. With a grunt, he stumbled to his hooves, his eyes surveying in utter shock what was before him.

He had been sleeping on a pile of rubble that had once formed the left wall of the lobby. Inside, an unconscious Mag Mane was spread out over a table, out cold. Trying to move his legs, he breathed a sigh in relief when they didn't give way. Slowly, he dragged his broken hoof across the dirt and into the building. Other then the gaping hole with broken stools strewn over the floor, the place was intact and untouched.

"They knew exactly what they were looking for," the colt grunted as he scanned the room for anything else out of place. And that was when he saw it. The cell door had been left ajar. Already expecting the worse, he uses his left side to push the door. As it slid open, he saw two empty cots and no trace of its occupant.

This shouldn't have been surprising. He knew that eventually, someone would come and rescue their leader. But he felt his heart give an involuntary spasm, the blood pausing for a second as if it sensed something was not right. And then it began to boil to the point where every vein and artery in his body was filled with hot gas.

"That lying son of a diamond dog!" he yelled out loud, pounding his hoof over a copy of Daring Do. He should have known it was all a ploy. That the changeling was just leeching on him, trying to gain his trust. The Commander was just like the rest of the changelings. Emotionless, cold, calculating, deceiving bug-brains that were just enlarged parasites. Yet, he had already known this. Why was it so painful to see the inevitable come true?

Because I trusted him. The colt bowed his head in depression. He had actually believed in the Commander, and had thought of him as a true friend. A true friend, maybe even the brother he never had. It didn't matter though, because if he ever sees another changeling within a 30-mile radius, he would squish them for the insects they are. With a sigh, he began to limp towards the entrance, when two guards in shining gold armor rushed in.

"What in the name of Celestia happened here?" Grimoire asked.

"We were attacked last night," the colt said solemnly, though his tone had a tint of fury in it.

The two guards began to inspect the lobby, as if the colt had missed a detail. When they found Mags, they heaved the mare and sat her upright.

"Nightmare's mane," Spell Tome uttered, "this place is a wreck."

He had had enough of these guards. Were they blind to his pain? Did they think he had any pain to begin with?

"What is wrong with you two?" he yelled.

The guards froze, blinking at him as if he had just insulted them at a party. He took in a deep breath before continuing, "I've been out colt since last night and nopony has even considered it their duty to help?"

"Well..."Grimoire began, "we-we didn't think that-"

"Didn't think?" the colt yelled, "well maybe you ought to consider what's at stake here. We could be at war for Celestia's sake."

"We're terribly sor-sorry," Spell Tome stuttered, "it-it won't happen again."

The colt instantly felt a tinge of regret for being so harsh to the two ponies. They were just as young as he was, probably even more. Giving them a confident look he said, "I'm sorry about that, just a little cranky from sleeping on top of those rocks."

The three gave a light chuckle before resuming their sullen expressions. "So," Grimoire began, "what do we do next?" He was already looking over at Mags, who still hadn't gone out of her critical condition.

"I'll take Mags," the colt said, "you two go and look for anything suspicious. Remember, the attackers were probably changelings and that means they might still be here."

With a nod, both guards turned to leave, heading for Twilight's library on the other side of town. Placing Mag's over his back, he felt a stinging pain in his rump and nearly tripped over. Gritting his teeth, he began the long trek to the Ponyville hospital.

Forge laid in the grass, too tired to carry all three of his mates on his shoulders. Thresh, Blend, and Cloak were still out cold, and they needed to be cured soon. As he stared at the sky, he began to think of the changeling he had captured and betrayed. He remembered leaving the hive at a young age, embarking for the glory that was the colonies.

But as it turned out, many of the generals were unfit to lead as governors and some believed in achieving more power then the rest. If it wasn't for the mysterious Matriarch, the whole system would have collapsed upon itself. However, it didn't mean that life got any better.

It was hard trying to make a living in the canyons near Appleloosa. It was even harder to impersonate a settler since there were so few left. He was sure he would have starved had it not been for Thresh. Thresh was a generation or two older then him, being an adult when he was just a foal. But the two had bonded together despite the gap in age. They hunted together, worked together, and lived together, battling the elements of hunger and survival.

He remembered the last mission they did for the Matriarch.

It had been his second one to complete. Thresh was tasked with bringing back a changeling escapee, and had entrusted Forge to befriend her. At first, he did his job perfectly, but then emotions got in the way. He felt the changeling's pain when she talked about her fake life, realizing that she was relating with reality. Then, when he had to turn her in, he swallowed his pity and watched the chase.

But he never once glanced in her direction when Thresh knocked her out cold and carried her back. He couldn't sleep after the ordeal, and found himself looking at the stars more then ever. Then one night, Thresh came to watch it with him.

"What's troubling you old partner?" the changeling said.

"Does it hurt the first time you betray someone?" Forge said blatantly, almost casually.

Thresh heaved a deep breath, his eyes locking with his friend's before he stated his answer. "It does hurt Forge. More then you can imagine. But it's something that you swallow in to protect yourself."

He sighed before continuing. "One time, I was told to hunt down a hatchling that had escaped the hive. Posing as a family friend, I gained her trust. And when I turned her in, all I could hear were her begs and pleas for me to rescue her, to stop what was going to happen. I was young and stupid back then. Chyrsalis knows that if I was older and wiser, I may have thought twice. But the fact remains, she's still gone and there's nothing I could do about it. I later realized she had a mutation and that she was probably killed. The poor thing, was just a hatchling when I found her for Queen Metamorphosis' sake! She didn't deserve to die. After that, I couldn't sleep for a month. In fact, I contemplated on killing myself, severing my ties with the swarm and all. Go on my own, forever in solitude. But as time went on, I realized I could never do it. Never sever my bond. So I left the swarm and ended up here, with the settlers. I quit my job and resumed to bounty hunting."

Forge hung on to every word his elder said. In all his time with him, this had been the only time Thresh ever talked about his past. The old changeling usually changed topics or threw a few hooves around if anyone was stupid enough to ask. Forge now knew why. The poor bounty hunter's first mission was to hunt down an innocent hatchling.

"Pardon my asking," Forge began, "but what do you think would have become of this hatchling? What would she have grown up to be?"

Thresh sighed and took out a foul-smelling bottle from his knapsack. Unlike other changelings, Thresh didn't live on love alone. Alcoholic cider ran deep in his veins, until his blood was so concentrated his liver should have perished. But for some reason or another, it was resilient, use to it, adapted so to speak. After taking in a deep gulp of the beverage, he answered his friend's question.

"In all honesty, she wouldn't have amounted to much. Certainly not a soldier or drone. Oh no, she wasn't the loyal type to get in with all that political hoopla and what not. She was a good egg. But she was a pony at heart. She had been raised and adopted by a unicorn family for so long, we couldn't revert her back. She believed she was one of them. But like all things, it had to come to an end. The hive couldn't risk a changeling living as a pony, even if her heart believed in it. It was too risky and would cause increased awareness should the hatchling accidentally reveal herself."

Forge merely looked down, unable to imagine how the swarm must have tried to "rehabilitate" her. It was a process used on synthetic changelings, but every now and then, "empathy-sick" subjects were brought in. He shivered at the thought of a hatchling being put through that. She would have lost her mind, become insane. And then what would they do? Probably the most merciful thing any changeling could do. Dispose of the weak. Natural selection benefited the swarm as a whole, but when it came to individuals, the mutants would be the first to go.

For a long time, the two just sat there until sunrise, contemplating on their lives and missions. On one side, there was the Matriarch who would do anything to keep quiet and on the other side was Queen Chrysalis, who would seize the country if she could. There was no correct path in their job description. They just had to swallow it in before it belched out and ate at them from the inside out.

"But I can't swallow it Thresh," Forge moaned from his lying position in the grass, the sun now filtering through the trees. "I can't be like you and swallow it in. I remember every changeling I've ever hunted down. I see them every time I go inside the nest to rest. I can't fight it anymore. I can't...do this anymore. When I saw what we did to that general, I realized that. And I'll die before I let another changeling come to harm because of my deeds."

With this thought in mind, he closed his eyes. That was when he heard a thump followed by the clopping of familiar hooves. Opening his eyelids, and struggling to his own hooves, he turned to see three changelings patrolling the area. One of them was wearing an armored helmet.

"What happened here?" the changeling asked sternly.

"Ambusssshhed," he slurred, his head ringing from a concussion he must have received earlier, "needzz hezzzlllpppp." And he plopped back down.

"We gotta get them to a doctor," one of the changelings said.

"But we don't know where the medics are!" the other answered.

"Wait!" the general raised his hoof to silence his subordinates, "I think I saw a place nearby, but it belongs to a zebra."

"Well that's great," the first changeling answered, "what's the next place we can visit, Ponyville Intensive Care?"

The general glared at his subordinate, "Zebras can be convinced since we didn't attack their country. Besides, its our best bet, we need to get moving. NOW!"

From the window od the hut, Clyde could see a misty sunrise settling over the land. Last night, he had stayed with Rosemary's soldiers, never allowing sleep for one minute. He had been sleeping for way too long. As he stood there, he pondered on the thoughts of what had happened.

The Commander had seemed nice enough, and perhaps with some convincing, he could buy the changeling his freedom. Of course, he would need to see the Commander do more then just obey the rules.

With a yawn, one of the privates woke up, his eyes taking in the sunlight as well. Giving a small smile, Clyde went to the colt's bedside, checking his temperature."How ya feeling private?"

"Better then before," Private Broomberg said, his eyes riveted on Leafy, "guess we're lucky they weren't lethal shots."

Clyde nodded, and then went to check up on the others. When he was sure all of them were at their physical peak, he turned to Leafy, "let's get back to base early. I don't want to take up Zecora's time with all this changeling nonsense. As he said this, another yawn came from Leafy's mouth as he stumbled to his hooves.

Leaving behind a tip of around ten bits, the four departed for Ponyville, their nostrils taking in the unique smell of cherry blossoms and other native plants.

"Look out for that Poison Joke over there," Clyde motioned his hoof to where a patch of blue flowers laid undisturbed, "it'll put you back in Zecora's just for another day or two."

The guards were now scanning the forest, avoiding all contact with any blue flowers. Clyde couldn't help but smirk. The group was now trudging through the path, nearing the border of the forets. Ahead, they could see clouds shifting in the distance, the rumble of thunder as they approached far away cities and towns.

"Odd weather for summer," Clyde mused.

"You should have seen it when they attacked us," Leafy commented, "the fog was as thick as pea soup!"

Clyde froze, his ears twitching at the words he had just heard. "What did you say Private Leafy?"

"Thick as pea soup?" The private offered, backing away a little at the harshness of the warden's tone.

"No, earlier, what did you mean by 'they'?"

"Oh," Leafy said puzzled, "didn't you know? We were attacked by a gang of changelings. They were the ones who broke that prisoner out. Knocked me and my partner unconscious."

Clyde stood still now, his hooves tense with shear anger as he realized he had been played. "Your...captain told me that the prisoner escaped all on his own. No help from any changelings."

Broomberg gave a laugh, "What the buck? Captain Rosemary saw those changelings for himself. There were at least a dozen or so when I saw them."

"I think your Captain is hiding more things then it would seem," Clyde hissed, "we need to get to the mayor's office now and tell her what's happened." With that, his trot turned into a gallop as he raced against the clock.

"I don't get it," Broomberg yelled back, "why would Rosemary lie about a changeling incident?"

"He's trying to keep law and order," Clyde answered, "but he doesn't realize the extent of this invasion. We need to be ready now before it's too late!"

So the group raced towards Ponyville, never stopping to rest in their desperate efforts to warn the town of impending doom. Little did they know that it was already too late.

Sunlight was pouring into the Commander's eyes as he shifted himself awake. According to the position of the sun, it was still early morning. Moaning as he got up, he realized he wasn't in his disguise. Quickly shifting in a flash of green, the Canterlot guard he had been portraying got to his hooves and began walking.

Okay, just gotta stay low for now. You can do this Commander. As he walked, he suddenly saw two guards rushing past him. Word must have spread that he was out on the loose, but it was still amazing to him how slowly it had taken them to search for him. He wondered what the colt who was his guard had done when he woke up to find a hole in the wall. Likely, he could forget ever trying to pay a return visit. It would most likely get him hoofcuffs instead of compassion. Which meant he had nowhere to turn. He was back at square one, trying to find his battalion before it was too late.

He continued at his pace when he heard a crash and gasp coming from what looked like a marketplace. Now, under normal circumstances, this would be the sign to run. But curiosity took hold of him, and the changeling figured it couldn't hurt to try and watch from the back.

Trotting his way there, he passed by groups of huddled shoppers, whose eyes were glued to the two guards he had seen earlier. Inching ever so closely, he saw the two gold-plated colts were hanging over two mares, one of which was arguing and defending the other.

Also, the Elements of Kindess and Laughter were present as well, apparently defending from a standpoint. The Commander had to laugh at the scene. Did this black mare and her brown friend steal some apples? Or did they argue with a tomato salespoines about inflation? Better yet, they were being accused of being changeling spies for some invasion that will take over the entire town. Oh that would be gold.

But highly unlikely the Commander thought with a grin. After all, no invasion could be started without his authorization. Even High-General Double needed a unanimous vote, coming from him of course, to start anything close to an offensive. The point being that the Commander in Chief was not as stressed as the High-General who worked 24/7. And so his/her mind would be able to plot out operations more clearly.

So then that meant that the guards were likely apprehending some sort of thief. This would be entertaining to watch. Suddenly, a flash of smoke covered his hoof. What laid inside was a box of popcorn.

Well that was weird the Commander though nervously before popping a few into his mouth. As he watched, the guards seemed to have a spear at the ready. The brown mare looked vaguely familiar, almost like she was...

"Daring Do!" he almost shouted, closing his mouth so as to not draw attention to himself. The fictional character of his dreams was actually here. Right in person. Why, he would need to get an autograph before the authorities dragged her off to the jail cell.

Unknown to him, however, the green pegasus mare that he had been chasing landed a few feet away from him, drawn to the scene. Glancing at the sun, she knew it was almost time to carry out the plan. Once the signal was given, she would have to obey it no matter what. Swallowing in the saliva that was threatening to flow out of her mouth, she counted the minutes.

Daring Do, as the Commander called her in his head, was now looking desperate. It was clear that she wasn't convincing the guards of her friend's innocence. The Commander was almost halfway through his popcorn, his stomach filled with the the excitement.

Suddenly, Daring Do's eyes glowed a bright green, their venomous stare riveted on the two officers. "I am Mirror, a changeling, and I will not let you harm another of my siblings!”

The Commander nearly spat his popcorn out. Mirror! What the buck is she doing here!And why was she revealing herself! Mirror was supposedly part of his battalion, a special student of the Queen herself. Why was she acting so foolish in front of the very forces that could imprison her for life!

Before anypony took notice to his shock, the brown pegasus leapt forward in attack. The crowd shuffled back, causing the Commander to lose his view of the scene. He struggled to get on his hind hooves, but nearly fell back as a result. Slumping down, he backed along with the group.

When the crowd finally settled in a more suitable position, the Commander saw that the other mare had disappeared, leaving Mirror alone to face the guard's wrath. He couldn't believe he hadn't sensed his fellow changeling earlier. Perhaps that fall from Canterlot had messed with his senses. Well, he wasn't going to allow another changeling to get arrested. He could break her out later and-

He gasped as the guard raised a spear. The bloody maniac was going to skewer her like a fish! Shoving aside shoppers, he tried to call out for them to stop, but either they couldn't hear him or didn't care. But before he reached her, there was a shout and a purple lavender unicorn popped out of nowhere. The guards stopped and stared at the newcomer, annoyance spread over their faces.

Upon closer inspection, the Commander realized it was Twilight Sparkle, the Element of Magic herself. The Commander didn't get it. Why were three different Elements protecting one of his own. Was it not clear to them that she had just assaulted a guard in broad daylight? Well, maybe this Element thought Mirror was still a pony.

Ok, crisis averted the Commander breathed with a sigh of relief. That sigh soon turned into a gasp as one of the guards casted an all too familiar spell. In an instant, he was pushed back by the crowd. There were angry murmurs and occasional shouts as the crowd glared at the changeling before them.

Well shoot! Now he needed to get Mirror out of this pickle. Once again pushing through the crowd of onlookers, he tried to make his way to the changeling before the market was turned into a temporary execution square.

Just then, there was another yelp and the Commander turned to see a pink pony riding the guard like he was bull! In fact, he knew the Element as Pinkie Pie. "What the buck is she doing?" he muttered, flabbergasted as to why anypony would attack a guard now of all times.

Eventually the guard managed to toss the pink creature into the crowd, his hate now steaming out of his ears. “Defending a changeling and attacking a member of the Canterlot Guard? You are all traitors to Equestria and by law, you are under arrest!” And with that, the crowd did another gasp that nearly caused the Commander to be propelled back once more.

He was only reaching the middle of the crowd when the guards fired two blasts of magical energy. But before it could reach the group, a purple barrier shot out and the blasts went off like failed fireworks. Why are they helping her? The Commander shook his head in bewilderment. The very ponies who had given him away to the authorities were now protecting a changeling! The next thing he'll know will be that the diamond dogs are setting up a charity.

"Traitor!"

"Monster!"

"Changeling spies!"

The insults that once assaulted him were now being flung at his subordinate. That was when his eyes flashed red. He was use to being belittled and insulted by many towns and in many languages, but Mirror wasn't the type of changeling to handle insults. Why, the very nerve of the crowd to utter such obscenities made his blood boil. He would punish them for what they did. No pony gets away with badgering his battalion.

He was literally plowing through the shoppers when Mirror, Pinkie, and the one he remembered as Fluttershy dashed down for the Everfree Forest, leaving Twilight to handle the angry mod that had formed. Struggling to break free and get to his soldier, the Commander felt like a worm trapped in sticky dirt. The current was pushing him along for the ride, and he could do nothing to stop its pull.

The guards were still firing barrage after barrage of magical fire. "Can you just let me out!" He was pleading upon deaf ears. The crowd was in a frenzy and their thirst for vengeance had made them mindless beasts thirsting for blood. "For Celestia's sake, just let me out of here!"

“That…is…ENOUGH!”

A wave of solid energy hit the Commander square in the back as he flew with several other members of the mob. Landing face first in mud, he slowly got up to inspect the damage. The unicorn was more powerful then he had thought. And clearly she was past her breaking point. As the shield dissipated, she took in a deep breath before continuing.

“Everypony, just listen to me! For goodness’ sake, you’re acting like foals having a tantrum!” Twilight yelled, “Now, I am going to say what I’ve been trying to say for the past ten minutes and you are all going to be quiet and listen! Is that understood?!”

The crowd was nodding in unison, embarrassed looks plastered over their faces. The Commander himself had found another box of popcorn to munch on as the unicorn began her speech.

“Everypony, we are all in grave danger!” Twilight said. The crowd began to break into confused and frightened muttering again, the Commander now hanging on to every word she said. “There is going to be an invasion, right here in Ponyville!"

The Commander spat his popcorn out, much to the irritation of a brown stallion. The stallion began to scold the changeling, but it was all in vain. The Commander was too take aback to comprehend his surroundings.

An invasion! he shouted in his mind that's impossible. I'm the Commander and no soldier moves without my command! There can't be an invasion! That unicorn must have lost her head! It's impossible! Twilight was still talking as he dropped his popcorn.

"There are a number of changelings among us, disguised as normal ponies, and while this will alert them to having been discovered, it is imperative that the ponies here are made aware of this threat so that we aren’t-”

Suddenly a beam of emerald energy rammed itself into the unicorn, cutting off her sentence as she flew into a cherry stand. Turning around, the Commander scanned for the source of the blast, when he came face to face with an armored changeling that he knew to be all to familiar.

"General Buckin' Carbon," he hissed, "has everyone in the swarm lost their minds?" The general was by far his most hated subordinate to work with. He loathed this general almost as much as he hated his Queen, but at least he could make his general's life a living nightmare without getting socked in the gut for it.

“I believe you were going to say ‘caught off guard’?”

The general was smirking like he had been promoted to High-General. But what didn't make sense was why he was addressing the crowd. The Commander could guess only one reason: an invasion. The general was going against protocol to jump-start an invasion without his authorization! And if Twilight had been correct, he had been planning this for some time. Why, the slimy leech didn't even bother to rescue him.

And why was every changeling mistaking him for the general? Was it because of the used armor? But then again, you should still be able to tell a changeling regardless of their uniform. No, he needed to know what was going on and why.

However, questions could wait until the Commander finished beating the living snot out of this smug resin-secreted wasp. Racing forward, his vocal cords were just about to shout the traitor's full name when a hoof shot up and the ponies around him were engulfed in green flames. Before he realized what was happening, half the crowd was composed of changeling warriors.

Pandemonium spread like wild fire, and the Commander was trampled as ponies fled from their attackers. Managing to get up, he limped his way to a nearby stall to take cover. Already, beams were being exchanged here and there as changelings took to the skies.

The stand above him had a tomato posted above, with a price of about two bits. Despite the chaos running around him, the Commander couldn't help but scowl at the price. "Two bits? I could buy a sweet roll for that much-"

Suddenly the sign was blasted into a million fiery splinters, causing the changeling to resume taking cover. He needed to get out of here and fast. Looking towards the alleyway ahead, he made a quick dash for it, dodging blasts here and there as he proceeded.

Once he reached the safety of a building's wall, he continued to snake out, casting off his form due to how useless it was at the moment. As he reached another street corner, he could a see a cyan rainbow race past him, sending a few buzzing changelings to the ground below.

"Okay Commander," he said, taking in deep breaths, "you can do this. You just have to go and tell the swarm that this invasion has not been authorized. Then, afterwards, you're going to beat the apples pie outta that back-stabbing general. Okay, Operation Save the Day is a go!"

Taking in a confident stride the Commander walked across the dirt road. Suddenly, there was a cry and a changeling plummeted head first in front of him. The blast sent him back to where he began. Shaking dust out of his fur, he stared wide-eyed at the crater that had just formed in front of him.

"Okay then, Operation Save the Day is post-poned. Operation Save my Donkey is now initiated."

The general had managed to carry Thresh and Forge on his back, his subordinates taking one changeling each as they trekked across the woods. According to the general, they were nearing the hut and would soon be able to care for themselves.

"I'll be glad to once this invasion is over with," one of the subordinates muttered, "I mean attacking changelings on the road is just low."

"You know we would do the same," the general replied, "we're just as prone to use guerrilla tactics as they are."

The hut came into view, the shadows of several ponies already inside. A wave of anxiety spread over their faces. If there were ponies inside, they would need to hide for the time being, waiting it out until whoever was inside left. And they would need to do this soon.

Crouching under the window, the changelings sneaked through towards the front, careful to avoid any Poison Joke that laid idly by. From what the muffled vibrations of the wall were giving, there was some sort of argument. Sighing to himself, the general motioned for his lieutenants to cross the entrance in order to reach a vantage point in the trees. Crossing the door, the two privates climbed up the trees, steadying themselves to keep the changelings on their backs from falling.

Then the general began to crawl his way when the door suddnely flew open, nearly freeing itself of its hinges. The general jerked back, eyes wide in surprise. "What the bucking dragon of a diamond loving dog!"

Two equines flew out one clinging to the other as a brown pony grabbed and armored changeling and thrusted him into a tree. Her eyes filled with rage, she shouted, “You’ve ruined everything!”

Then the older changeling, which the general realized was Carbon, fired a blast of energy that sent the mare into a tree, shredding the disguise to reveal a small female changeling with a stump where her horn should have been. "What in Chrysalis' s name is going on here?"

Carbon now had his hooves pinned onto the other changeling's wings. Having enough nonsense the general decided to sneak through the back, ignoring the outcries and dialogue between the two forces. From what he could tell, there was the mention of empathy sickness and why it was good. He was already in view of the tree when a name stood up that caused him to stand upright. "High-General Double?" he whispered.

"High-General Double has had empathy sickness ever since she was a hatchling!” Carbon hissed.

The general shook his head in disbelief. The High-General having empathy sickness? She wouldn't have survived two seconds in the hive let alone become second-in-command. His ear now focusing in, he listened to what Carbon had to say next.

"Queen Chrysalis preferred it to be kept a secret, but it’s not hard to figure it out.” Carbon said, “A freak teleporting accident as a hatchling lead to the High-General getting amnesia and being taken in by a pony family in Canterlot, where she bonded with a unicorn filly. When Queen Chrysalis came to retrieve her and wiped the family’s memories of her, poor Double went mad trying to convince the Queen to return them to the little unicorn. The only reason she even became High-General in the first place was to gain the Queen’s favor.”

That was impossible! The High-General was a great tactician, and even in the darkest hours, she would always find a way to put a smile on their faces. He remembered coming back from a failed offense in Fillydelphia. Unable to confront the queen, he went to Double and the High-General smiled and showed him her famous toy which was Mr. Smartypants.

Even he had to laugh at that. On top of cheering him up, she spoke on his behalf for the queen. High-General Double wasn't just a commanding officer. She was his friend and he knew that most of the generals would agree. At least, he hoped they would.

Many have voiced their opinions more then once as to the sanity of the second-in-command, worrying about how she'll be able to handle the work if she was always in her room playing with dolls. The solution was formed in the Commander in Chief, second second-in-command who would act as a sort of Discord's advocate. This would of course, require the Commander to be the complete opposite of the High-General. Meaning that the Commander chosen would have to be a jerk, and one to come up with daring plans that involved direct combat instead of plans that worked slowly, but with caution and a high rate of success. In fact, this meant that the Commander in Chief usually died well before the High-General did, usually towards the end of the war. Or if the idiot survived, they wouldn't last very long in the hive afterwards.

Realizing that he had been standing up for way too long, the general slowly began to sneak towards the tree. Thankfully, the two battling bug-brains had taken the fight farther down into the forest. Climbing the tree, he was helped by his fellow officers, both of whom were grinning.

"Dude guess what?"

"What?" the general asked casually.

"Those two fighting idiots just got covered in Poison Joke!"

"What!" The general jostled his lieutenant back to see the battle from the tree. Sure enough, the two changelings had gotten themselves in the center of the paths of blue flowers. He could only guess what horrors awaited them in the next ten hours.

"Are you sure you still wanna go to this zebra's hut?" one of the officers asked him.

"Yes," the general said, "otherwise we climbed this tree for nothing-"

"Looks like Carbon just high-winged it," the other officer said, pointing to where Carbon had once been seen. Sure enough, Carbon had used a teleportation spell to flee the premises.

"Guess he figured the joke was on him." The general chuckled at his own comment.

There was an excited cry as two ponies ran towards the changeling. One was a bright pink pony while the other was a yellow pegasus. As they reached the changeling, the general expected to see their faces shocked or filled with malice. Instead, they began to casually check the changeling, making sure she hadn't sustained any wounds.

"What the buck," the general whispered, "ponies taking care of their own?"

"Maybe those are changelings as well," his lieutenant whispered.

"Highly unlikely," the general muttered, "I would have been able to tell."

"Really?"

The general sighed. In truth, he didn't know what to think. It wouldn't be the first time had failed to notice a changeling in the field. But then again, his senses had been honed since his last encounter with ponykind. "Let's just get these guys to Zecora's before I lose my mind to this nonsense."

"Who knows," one of his officers offered when they were climbing down, "maybe it isn't a war between changelings and ponies."

"Then what kind of war is it?" the other officer asked, his voice filled with irritation.

"Maybe it's a war between Double and Carbon."

Clyde woke with a start. He had been running towards the mayor's house when a flash of green light collided with him. He had been blinded for a couple of seconds before darkness overcame him.

He was in a room, a dim lamp shifting from left to right and the sounds of magical fire being exchanged ringing through his ears. Looking across, he saw a stallion standing over him.

"I suppose you want to kill me right now," Captain Rosemary said, his voice surprisingly calm.

"Yeah," Clyde said sarcastically, "I was wondering if you wanted some tea and cookies with that sir."

"Listen Clyde-"

Clyde shot a punch that sent the Captain into the opposite wall, his limp form rebounding off the surface as it fell. Looking up, he could now see several other troops around him. The three privates along with Stiffhoof were there. Stiffhoof probably knew about the invasion too, since he was the only other solider who had survived the attack. Clyde would talk to him later.

(Think about this song when reading the following excerpt.)

"What's going on?" he asked. The privates looked among each other, worry spread over their faces. One of them stood up, a young blue pegasus with a brown guitar for a cutie mark.

"Sir, most of the town has been destroyed. There is chaos in the streets. You were one of the first to get hit when the invasion started. I-I don't what to do sir."

Clyde locked eyes with the blue soldier, giving him a look of fierce confidence. "We protect Ponyville at all costs private. I don't care what happens or what that idiotic captain of yours has been telling you. If the changelings wanna fight, let's not disappoint."

"But sir," another soldier began, "we are out-horned and out-winged. We're outnumbered 20 to 1 at least! All our forces have been scattered to the four winds."

Clyde laughed at the colt's statement, causing an uproar from the group huddled over him. "Has anypony ever told you to never look at the odds before you start battling?"

"Sir?"

Clyde got up, his chest puffed and his eyes gleaming with the ferocity of a falcon. It had been a long time since he had ever commandeered a group of centurions before, possibly even a century or two, but now was his chance to re-live the dream of combat. To inspire the shy to becoming brave.

"When it seems like you aren't going to win, never let probability dictate the best course of action. Because you know what? It's all probability and in the end, it still stands a chance of being wrong."

The group was silent, their ears hanging onto to every word the warden was saying. The captain still laid unconscious by the floor.

"So while our odds don't look to promising, I say look at the other side. We still have a chance at winning this for our country and our fillies and foals. In our darkest hour, we must unite under one flag. You few who stand before me have the chance to become heros and what are you doing? You are hiding, acting like cowards when you can be out there, helping defend these innocent civilians!"

"But sir," another colt called out, "we've tried and failed!"

"Then try and fail again. In fact, keep trying and failing until you get it right son. You are the Princesse's chosen guard. Out of all the stallions and colts and mares and fillies, it's always been you who have protected our borders from evil."

He took in a sigh before continuing, "I was once part of a great war in the time before you guys were even born. I will tell you, it ain't a picnic. It's not what we want, but it's what we do. Sometimes, you just have to accept it and suck it up."

"Our fathers have protected this land and their fathers before them and their fathers before them, going right to our very forefathers and founders of this mighty country. When the three tribes founded Equestria, do you think they were frightened?"

Everypony in the room shook their heads in confusion. Clyde merely sighed as he gave them the answer. "The truth is that they were frightened down to the bone. They were scared like you, huddled in a cramp room with little hope of ever making it back. But on that Hearth's Warming Eve, they went against the odds of survival and became united as one!"

The last tone struck the group, emitting cries of joy as the armored soldiers rose up, one by one. In a matter of seconds, every stallions except Captain Rosemary was standing at attention.

"I'll follow you anywhere sir," Leafy shouted, "even if it means through Tartarus and back!"

Clyde nodded, "Mh-hm, then let's free this city and become the heroes our citizens need. For Ponyville. For the Princesses. For Equestria!"

A roar of hooves slamming against was followed by cries of courage and joy. In the next second, they cleared the room, running straight for the door, prepared to fight the enemy head on. As they pushed through the make-shift barricade, Clyde couldn't help but smirk.

"I still got it."

The Commander had made it past several blocks, his eyes scanning for trouble. So far, reasoning with the swarm had proved difficult at most. Anytime he tried to approach a group, they would get swatted out of the air and he would have to take cover as hooves clashed and magical energy was exchanged.

"What I need to do is talk to that General Carbon," the Commander thought despairingly. That would be as easy as finding a needle among needled mixed with haystacks. Normally, he could just uplink into the Hive Network and find the general's location, but at the moment, so much activity was buzzing through that he couldn't pinpoint the general's own commands.

It was chaos left and right. Ponies were attacking ponies and changelings were merely playing along with the mayhem. Here and there, guards struggled to keep changelings back from entering safe-houses. Colts and mares were lying still over piles of rubble, knocked out cold by the cross-fire.

As he neared another house, there was a sound of crying. Snaking over to the corner, he saw three changelings hovering over a grey pegasus and unicorn filly. There were another three that had been taken out previously, their limp forms laid over the home's lawn.

Clearly the grey pegasus was a mother, but her eyesight was unusual. It was as if she was permanently cross-eyed. Staring at the pegasus only made him laugh out loud.

"Oh my gosh, it isn't even a fair fight with one changeling," the Commander cackled.

That was when he heard a scuffle and shout. Turning back to view the house, he saw a white blur uppercut one changeling in the face, sending his partner in the ground. Before the Commander could count to five, all three were strewn over the lawn, knocked out beyond reasoning.

The attacker was a white pegasus with a yellow mane, who was now standing on her hind-hooves. "SURPRISE!” The pegasus shouted.

"Ahhhhhh," the Commander fell down with a loud thump, cowering back behind a trash can for safety. He hadn't expected the pegasus to shout, and the tramuatizing experience of seeing three of what were likely his finest soliders beaten to a pulp made him shudder.

Taking in a deep breath, the Commander dared another look. "Honestly the maniacs are the worst to fight. I mean they can be so unpredictable and-AHHHHHHHH!"

The Commander nearly gave a filly-like shriek as five or more changelings raced past him, oblivious to his position behind the trash cans. By now, the grey pegasus had already taken off with her filly, leaving that maniac of a pegasus behind.

One of the changelings went up to the pegasus, as if unsure what to do with her. All the rest were simply shocked. What was wrong with them? Didn't they see that this pegasus was a code 1 priority that needed to be taken care of stat!

"You’re on their side now, Mirror? You traitor!”

"Mirror?" The Commander said as he focused in on the white pegasus. Sure enough, the pegasus' eyes flashed a green.

"Traitor? I’m not a traitor! The Queen’s word is law, and this invasion goes completely against Queen Chrysalis’s orders to blend in and stay hidden. As a loyal soldier of the swarm, it is my duty to apprehend all changelings that disobey her orders. The changelings who follow General Carbon are the real traitors here!”

The Queen's orders? The Commander hadn't heard any chatter since Canterlot. In fact, he was already convinced Chrysalis had finally kicked the bucket. But perhaps the drone was nonsensical at the moment. A problem he would handle later.

Deciding not to stay a moment longer, he crept across the block, scanning for any loose fire. So far, the coast was clear. Making another block or two, he continued down the path, looking back and forth. His reflexes were already becoming accustomed to the stray blast and piece of debris that headed his way. It was almost like clockwork, only that he was constantly on edge every time an equine fell in front of him, or crashed through a door.

"Well it appears a moment of silence can now-"

"Freeze!" A voice called, catching the Commander off guard. Turning, he saw two very familiar changelings running down the street. "We've got you now General Carbon!"

"For the last bucking time," the Commander howled, "I'm not General Love-Sucking-Uncharismatic-Buckin' CARBON!"

But they were already firing their horns upon him, causing the changeling to shriek like a little filly once more as he ran down the street.

"Can you fools at least pay me one second to explain myself without getting blasted into a million pieces!?"

Captain Rosemary slowly rose to his hooves. Looking around the room, he found empty cots and a door left ajar. He didn't need a strategist to tell him that the old warden probably high-tailed it with his platoon. Wincing at the pain in his shoulder, the captain limped across the barricades he had placed for defense. Nothing more then overthrown chairs and boxes at this point in time.

Slipping through the back door, he trotted out into a cold, brisk wind that blew high over the city, where plumes of smoke bellowed from all sides and the cries and shrieks of chaos punctured his ears. This was what he had tried to avoid, but now with no guard to protect it. No pony to bring order. It was over. Likely, the invasion's goal was to rescue the leader that was detained in Ponyville Jailhouse. Although everypony had almost completely forgotten about it, he still remembered the report given to him.

The changeling was described as snobby, over-confident, and a profound fear of spiders. Well, if this commander was who they wanted, then he would make sure they didn't get the spoils of their pitiful conquest. As he crossed another block, a black form whizzed by him.

"Oh sorry, excuse me, coming through," a voice shouted briskly. The tone was oddly familiar to those ponies on Trottingham. It was only when he noticed the shiny ebony helmet that his eyes narrowed.

"Time to finish what I should have done a few days ago."

"Freeze changeling!" another voice called. This one was gruffer, more like that of a stallion then the echoing tone of a changeling.

Turning his head for a glance, he saw no other then a guard breaking speed to catch up, horn already firing beam after beam. "As if this day could get any worse."

"There you are!" another voice called. The Commander turned to see a familiar changeling with a top hat flying straight towards him.

"I had to ask." The Commander turned left into a smaller side-street, avoiding a group of five or so changelings harassing a party of colts. Then, climbing a pair of garbage cans, hopped over a fence and into the adjoining neighborhood. Meanwhile, Forge was following close behind, his wings giving a hum as he zipped through windows and balconies.

Captain Rosemary already saw the changeling's trick, and turned in the street before the side-street to catch up. However, in all this commotion, the two guards had lost track of the chase and had to backtrack to their intial position. Amazingly, that led them right into the same neighborhood as their prey.

In a matter of seconds, the captain was running down the north side of the road while the two guars ran on the opposite, towards the guard. As the two collided with each other, the Commander jumped over a fence and landed with a thump, followed by the landing of Forge right behind him.

Instantly, every horn was glowing in their respective colors, ready to fire upon each other. The captain suddenly noticed the two jet-black drones in his midst, and darted his horn towards them. In response, one of the guards aimed his aura at Rosemary.

"Move another inch-" Captain Rosemary barked.

"-and I'll blast you faster then you can say 'dash'!" the two changeling guards finished, blinking in bewilderment at the synchronization between the two opposite forces.

Getting up, the Commander pointed his horn towards Forge, who took an involuntary jolt backwards as he flew back out the way he came, over the sepia-tinted roof of a red-brick cottage. Turning back, he saw the guard and pointed his hoof towards him, before noticing another changeling to the side.

"Oh great," he wailed, "just perfect." He stood behind the dumpster, his eyes swiveling back and forth between changeling and stallion.

"It appears we've gotten ourselves into a bit of a standoff." One of the changeling guards hissed. "Shift, go back and scan the perimeter. We don't need any other loose spears to fall upon this scene."

With a nod, the guard known as Shift took his aim off Rosemary, flying ahead down the block to spot any incoming fights. With the three equines now alone, silence settled like a blanket, muting the crashes and explosions in the background.

At the Ponyville Hospital, Nurse Redheart was working around the clock to get patients in. With the invasion ruckus, the whole town had been congregating to her doors, carrying wounded loved ones and soldiers. The few who had remained conscious were now in the lobby, spears at the ready for any changeling stupid enough to enter in.

The colt had healed his leg fairly well with a magical painkiller. Now standing with three other stallions, he watched the doors for any sign of movement. So far, the only activity present were a few stray ponies running here and there, closely followed by their pursuers.

As the seconds stretched into minutes, the colt counted two or three explosions. With each sickening crash, the guards that were with him lost another ounce of sanity. By this time, one of them was huddling in a corner while the other two conversed amongst themselves.

"It's game over man."

"Game over? It's way beyond that! We're all doomed!"

"There's no way we're going out there again! No sir! I wanna live!"

In the hallways, he could see mares cuddling their sobbing foals, and colts comforting their sisters. They weren't acting at all like it was the end of the world. They hadn't given up yet. But if these two troopers continued with their exaggerated proclamations of the apocalypse, then who knew how long the civilians would last. Giving an exasperated groan at the two delusional centurions, he stomped his hoof.

"For Luna's sake shut the buck up! Can't you see you're scaring every pony?"

The two stallions just stared at him quizzically, as if he had just asked a really dumb question. "I don't know if you've been keeping up with current events, but we just got our flanks kicked out there-"

"I don't care if Discord threw you a toga party! Suck it in, be quiet, and for Celestia's sake try to be role models of law and order. Because if you won't, nopony will."

The colts merely scowled and continued to talk with each other, as hysterical as ever. The jail guard merely sighed and leaned against a chair, his eyes focused on the lamp above, who was swinging merrily like a sea-saw. As he gazed at the light source, he felt a hoof over his shoulder and turned to see a weary-looking Nurse Redheart over him.

Her eyes had bags and her fur was smeared with sweat and dirt. but other then that, her uniform was was pristine and spotless as ever. Her eyes still gleaming like it was another day at the office.

"I heard you across the hall, and I want to say thank you for thinking about the fillies before yourself."

The guard merely blushed. "It was nothing ma'am. They were starting to annoy me too." The nurse gave a hearty laugh with which the colt grinned at. Then, her muscles grew limp and her smile creased into a frown.

"I also heard some shouts coming from the street. Come, take a look."

Following the nurse, the guard came up to the window to see what looked like a dozen or so guards fighting off hoards of changeling drones. His eyes darkened, knowing that it was losing battle the moment the stallions and mares stepped out there.

"How much time do we have?" he asked.

Redheart sighed, a tear flowing across her cheek. "Not enough that's for sure. Too many are in this hospital and many more are immobile at this point. Even if we could evacuate, we would still be an open target for any changeling within a 30-mile radius. No, this place is our last stand and I'd rather die then give it up to those things."

The colt looked back. It was clear they would need help. Taking in a deep breath, he walked back down the hall. The nurse rushed forward and planted a hoof on his shoulder once more.

"I know what you're doing and I just wanna say thank you if you don't make it back."

The colt smiled, "I'll get back, and you better be prepared for some new patients too!"

The nurse gave a chuckle. "You never did tell me your name when you brought that mare in the ER."

The colt looked down, reddening at the words. He had never told anypony his name before, not even Clyde. It was a name that only a few knew him as from Canterlot. But resuming his posture, he turned to her, "...Star Wing."

"Well Star Wing," she said, "you better take care of yourself then.

Star Wing merely nodded and once again began down the corridor. She only looked after the gold-plated pegasus before resuming her duties. As he passed the two troopers in the lobby, both of them turned their heads in shock.

"You're going out there?"

"You know you won't be coming back right?"

Star Wing shrugged and grabbed an old broomstick from the janitors closet. This summoned another outburst from the pair as he slid through the doors, and into the fight.

My name is...

Perspiration dripped down the Commander's forehead as he stared down his two opponents. All of them had their bodies tense and their eyes focused, waiting for the first idiot to make an attempt at besting them. Houses were no longer collapsing and the sky was clear. The entire city was quiet... almost as if time itself had paused to observe this ancient code of combat. Finally, it was Captain Rosemary who broke the peace.

"I ought to just shoot both of you and be done with it."

The other changeling laughed. "You wouldn't make it past two centimeters if you tried that stunt. We'd both fire at you, while you fire just at us."

"Well I don't see why we're all in this stupid standoff in the first place," Rosemary yelled, "you two are with the enemy, just finish me already!"

"We aren't allies," the changeling guard replied, "this general here is being charged with treason and it is my duty to bring him to justice no matter what."

The changeling Commader gave a loud, exasperated moan, "For the last time, I'm not General Carbon!" He stomped his hoof in defiance, causing the two equines to back up and focus their aura's upon him. Putting his hooves up, the Commander stepped back.

"Easy now," he said slowly, "we don't need any last-minute horn-slingers to buck the bucket."

They relaxed, resuming their aims on each other, glaring with the malice and hate of centuries worth of battles. The Commander felt his stomach growl. The adrenaline from earlier today had covered the fact that he hadn't eaten since yesterday.

"It's no use trying to plead your innocence Carbon," the changeling guard finally said, "just admit it and we may give you a lighter sentence."

"I am not General Carbon."

"You are. Stop lying."

"Tis' not a lie!" the Commander cried, his voice taking on a louder, more authoritative tone.

"Tis' so."

"Tis' not!"

"Tis' so."

"Tis' not!"

As the two bickered, Captain Rosemary face-hoofed himself. Honestly, his day had started off with a mess. First, he got head-butted by a mare. Then there came the invasion. Then he got punched into submission by an old stallion. And now here he was with two changelings who have him at a standoff while they yell obscenities and pointless statements at each other.

The block was only a few yards away as Star Wing rushed with a spurt of his wings. A guard was too busy uppercutting a drone to see the changeling behind him. With a thrust of speed, Star Wing slammed head-first into the drone, knocking it into the fray. The guard turned his head. He was a green colt by the looks of it.

"Thanks partner," he said, "name's Leafy."

"Star Wing," he replied, his hoof sweeping into the direction of a changeling's snout.

The two soldiers went back to back, their hooves and hind-hooves kicking, shoving, and knocking out any changeling that came within their circle of destruction. Suddenly, a changeling two yards down fired a green bolt of magical energy that sliced into Leafy's armor, causing him to collapse, the wind knocked out of him.

"Leafy!" Star Wing cried, kicking a changeling behind him in it's weak spot. The drone gave out a tiny whimper before it fell head first into a puddle of mud.

Suddenly, another beam grazed Star Wing's back, causing the pegasus to trip over his temporary partner. Looking back up, he could see the source of the blast buzzing up ahead.

"Incompetent foal," he hissed, "let me show you what true power really-"

But at that exact second in time, a brown stallion brought his rear into the changeling's side, knocking it out of the sky and into a group of drones being kicked into submission. Helping the pegasus up with a strong hoof, Star Wing gave a quick smile.

"Thanks."

"Anytime..."the stallion froze, ", Sweet Celestia, it's you!"

Star Wing gaped in surprise as he realized the brown stallion was his superior warden. "Clyde! I thought you were at Zecora's."

Clyde gave a smug smirk, "Had to leave early, but why aren't you at the-" Suddenly he was cut off as a blast whizzed past him.

"Look out!" Star Wing heaved himself over Clyde so that he was in mid-air. Then, his hind-right hoof extended outwards, he kicked the changeling flying right at them. The impact sent the would-be ambusher back into a pair of bushes. Landing back down, he saw Clyde with his jaw stretched to the floor.

"Where did you learn that move...errr..."

"Star Wing. My name is Star Wing. I've told you this since I came for that internship at your jailhouse." Then Star Wing used Clyde once again as a pole to swivel upon, his back hooves knocking two, three, now four changelings out of the air.

Clyde could only stare after him, his eyes shining with awe at the junior warden's skills. Noticing how much of a scene he was causing, Star Wing blushed. "Yeah, sorry about that. Took martial arts when I was studying in Canterlot."

"Well I'll be sent to the moon," Clyde said to nopony in particular, "they ought to make this stuff mandatory in training-."

But at that moment, Clyde shoved Star Wing away as he sucker-punched a changeling rushing from behind. The force sent the said drone back to a pair of guards, who then proceeded to beat the snot out of him. Now it was Star Wing's turn to glare at the warden. "You just sent that changeling back by a few good yards...with a single punch!"

Clyde merely blushed. "Yeah well...just remember strength isn't everything. But it pays to work in a rock farm for most of your life."

The two guffawed before resuming their stern gazes. Turning back to back, the two jail guards began using their respective moves to clear a path for the other troops. Soon, changelings were being flung here and there as the entire army moved simultaneously. They were pushing the invaders back when a purple barrier suddenly shook the ground they were standing on. Turning their heads, everypony in the unit groaned as the sky began to rain changelings upon them.

The blast had caused all three equines to jump back in fright. Seeing a familiar purple barrier rush towards them, the Commander gaped wide-eyed. "No, not again! Please Celestia no! Oh please no! No Nooooooo-"

But as he yelled, the barrier stopped, as if his words had performed a counter barrier to keep it at bay. Eventually, the purple forcefield dissolved into thin air, leaving the changelings it had tossed back plummeting towards the ground below.

Seeing as they had nothing more to fear, the three adversaries resumed their agonizing standoff. The Commander was sweating profusely, his carapace excreting more fluids then ever before. His legs grew weak, mere adrenaline providing the energy to keep them up.

"Listen," the Commander said, "let's all just fire our horns on the count of three. But first, to avoid all of us getting knocked out, let's take three steps back. Ok, on the count of-"

"Hold it right there!" Rosemary had his horn pointing at the other guard, who had just started moving his hoof.

"What?"

"He's trying to gain advantage by one inch!" Rosemary sneered, "He's cheating and he shall face the wrath of my-"

"For goodness sakes SHUT UP! Or I'll shoot you myself!" The Commander glared at the captain, who shuttered under his stare. "Now, mister guard sir-"

"Haze."

"Haze," the Commander elicited slowly, "don't move until I count to three. Okay three...two..."

Captain Rosemary took a step back, causing the other changeling known as Haze to shout in protest. "Cheater! You shall pay for this crime!"

"I backed up exactly when he was saying one!" Rosemary protested, "or do you have a problem with that?"

Haze pawed the ground, his scowl revealing two sharpened fangs. "Why don't you come and try me...cupcake." This, of course, triggered a heated response from Rosemary. "How dare you! I'll have you know I could shoot both of you in under ten seconds with my eyes closed!"

"Oh for the love of Discord, can you two just follow the RULES!" The pair grew silent as the Commander glared at both of them. "Now for the last time, it's when I say one. not before, not after. Is that understood?"

Haze stared at the floor, embarrassment flooding his face. "Yes General Carbon."

"Grrrrrrrrr...It's BUCKING COMMANDER FOR YOU! How many times must I say it! You know what? Forget it? We don't deserve to back up three steps. We'll settle this here and now on the count of three! I don't care anymore!"

The group was silent for the next minute or so, their eyes once again locked with each other. Taking in a deep breath, the Commander slowly began his countdown.

"1..."

"2..."

Rosemary readied his horn, provoking another angry outcry from Haze. His eyes red and his ears venting out smoke like a heated tea pot, the Commander glowered at both of them before yelling in a thunderous voice. "ENOUGH! For crying out loud, it's after I count to 1!"

"Well you weren't specific," Rosemary offered in a relatively calm demeanor, "and the spell I'm performing takes more time. So I need to prep it before I can actually fire it."

The Commander face-hoofed himself. "Honestly, do you think you could do another spell that won't take as long?"

Rosemary pondered at this thought for a second, rubbing a hoof against his chin. "I suppose I could, but then how do I know you won't try something funny as well?"

"You have my word." the Commander said with a bow.

"I'll need more then your word vile changeling," Rosemary hissed, "tell me what each of you are going to do and I'll ready a simple stun spell."

The Commander drooped his head down in pure agony. With a groan, he lifted his head and stated his spell in an irritated tone. "I will use the common changeling impact spell-"

"No fair!" Rosemary cried, "you can't use that! I only have a stun spell. Yours is more powerful!"

The Commander screamed in pure fury. "Then BUCKING choose something else! Choose my spell for all I care." He was at the edge of just shooting both of them at this point.

"Alright, but then it'll take more time for me to set up an impact spell so I should start at the count of two-"

"No way!" Haze interjected, "if he get's to start at the count of two, then I can too!"

"But that's cheating!" Rosemary argued, "You can use the Commander's spell at the same time as I ready my spell. Then it would be pointless for me to start at two. You would have the advantage."

"Then we'll both start at two!" the Commander cried.

Rosemary took a moment to think about this, causing both changelings to sigh simultaneously. After about a minute of thought, Rosemary looked up, a smug smile plastered over the unicorn's face.

"Then I get to start at the count of 1."

"BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKK!!" Both changelings howled in utter rage as they fired beams of energy at a stunned Rosemary. Before the unicorn could react, he was sent flying into a wall, where he rebounded with a crack. His body now laid at the floor, having received a double dosage of changeling impact spells.

Taking in a moment to breath, the two changelings were silent for a moment or two. Settling themselves back once more, the Commander saw the limp form of Rosemary spread over the road. "Chyrsalis's beard, that guy was annoying!"

Haze nodded in agreement, "I swear, if you didn't fire that beam at the last second, I would have personally gutted that smug face of his right out of his snout."

"Well, it looks like we've been reduced to two." The Commander steadied himself, his horn tense as the two adversaries prepared themselves for the upcoming battle. "On the count of three."

Haze gave a nod. Both changelings gave sly smiles at how well this countdown had worked for them before. For a good second, they were silent. Then, with a deep breath, they counted together.

"1..."

"Commander." a voice in the distant called out.

"2..."

"Commander, it's me Forge! I'm really sorry about betraying you and all!"

"Oh for the love of Celestia hold on." the Commander said before flying up to the roof of the cottage. Sure enough, Forge was buzzing around like a red target. Calling out, he yelled. "Forge I'm in the middle of something! Come back when I'm done!"

The changeling gaped at the armored officer before giving a nod and hovering in place. With a sigh, the Commander floated back down, and restarted his count.

"1..."

"Commander..." Forge called out again.

"2..."

"Commander there's something going on over there. It doesn't look good-"

"Forge, please, I'm trying to-"

But at that moment a thunderous boom sent the two combatants to the ground. Gazing up, they saw a green ring soar across the sky, followed by a volley of large fireballs as bright as the sun itself.

"That isn't her is it?" Haze called out, his eyes wide as the fire balls descended upon them.

The Commander stared in complete fear. He'd only read about this move in her file, but to see it was something else. And to have it barreling towards you was another matter in its own regard. "It is."

"What do we do now?"

"Just...RUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNN!!!"

The Commander dashed down the street jostling the shell-shocked Haze to follow. Instantly, the changelings were placing stress on their hooves as the first fireball descended upon a house two blocks away. The blast reduced the building to splinters, sending the shattered remains towards them.

"Haze," a voice called out, "the perimeter is secured, I just had to throw a few hooves around when-"

"Shift!" Haze called out, dodging a flying door as it collided with a dumpster, "Shift, get out of here! She's use the Starlight Rain move on the whole neighborhood. Run for it!"

But the changeling was silent, unresponsive to his partner's pleas to flee. His skin turning a light shade of grey, Haze turned back to the Commander. "He's not answering! Shift always answers! He's not answering! He's not-"

The Commander shoved a hoof into the guard's mouth, muffling whatever followed the sentence (although it was probably something like "answering").

"I'll get him, just keep running."

With that, the armored changeling rushed back down the street where they had had their duel. Glancing at the road, he noticed Rosemary's body was nowhere to be found.

Probably ran for it. Ash was beginning to cast a ghostly fog over the streets, blotting out the sky. He wouldn't be able to spot the fireballs if they landed on him. Trudging swiftly past the street, he called out the guard's name.

"Shift!"

There, a changeling silhouette, covered by some rubble. Dashing for it, he collided into Shift's traumatized form. The poor drone had been caught dumbstruck by the scene, unable to fathom the severity of his situation until the debris from a nearby building nearly crushed him. Laying his hooves over Shift's shoulders he began to shake the changeling with great vigor.

"Shift! Snap out of it!"

The changeling's trance-like state vanished with a shake of his head. Staring at the Commander in bewilderment, he posed the question on his mind. "Who are you?"

"Come with me if you want to live."

And with that the Commander heaved the injured changeling over his carapace. The extra weight was slowing the Commander down, but he never stopped to breathe. There was a near supersonic boom and a kaleidoscope of colors zoomed over head, leaving a rainbow trail in its wake. Evidently, this cleared the smoke above, revealing a fiery red fireball heading directly towards him.

"Oh my Swarm!" Shift called out, his voice panicky.

The Commander knew outrunning it would be stupid. A fireball could take out a whole block in less then a second. No, he would have to teleport himself out of here. But the problem with teleportation was that he was unskilled in the spell. In fact, it was so out of control that he ended up miles away from his destination.

Then I better keep my mind off where I wan to go. He thought with a sullen expression. Closing his eyes, he muted Shift's cries for him to move. He was meditating, calming his mind before the storm of thoughts tore his brain apart. When it was silent, he began to count. The fireball was already reaching the rooftop of the cottage.

3...

Shift closed his eyes, unable to look at what would come next. The fireball singed the balcony off the wall.

2...

It was now only a couple of centimeters above him. The heat was searing his helmet, boiling the very skin underneath.

1...

With a flash fo green, the explosion shook the ground and for a moment, the Commander was free-falling. And then, with a loud pop, the heat disappeared. He was now hovering above the crater that the fireball had made. The entire block below had been reduced to cinders, the buildings stripped to blackened skeletons. But at least they were lucky to not be part of that mess.

The fact that he had just narrowly escaped a flaming rock of molten doom made the Commander laugh. In fact, it made him laugh so hard, that he felt he could continue this all day.

"Did you see that?" he asked Shift, who was now silently saying a prayer thanking Chrysalis that he had survived this ordeal.

"Take that High-General Double," he said, punching a hoof into the air, "it's going to take a lot more then your fireballs to kill off the Commander in-"

BANG!

The colorful bolt of light collided with his armor, causing the two changelings to loose their stability. In a matter of seconds, they were both plummeting towards the ground below.

Using his wings, the Commander tried to gain altitude, but his wings had been crushed by the collision with the rainbow-trailed comet. He was useless, and now he and Shift were both going back to where they started.

"Well this sucks..." he uttered.

Below, Forge was sifting through rubble when he saw Haze a block out. "Hey you!" he called out. The changeling guard recognized the bounty hunter instantly and raised a broken pole in defense.

"Don't come any closer."

Forge raised his hooves, his eyes wide in shock. "Relax, thats the past. I'm trying to look for the Commander."

Haze dropped the stick, his eyes looking down at the ground below, "They didn't make it."

It was as if Forge had been hit by a freight train. The Commander that he had captured, betrayed, and used was now...dead. He fell back on his rump, his mind still in denial. But as he gazed at the smoking crater, he knew it could only be true. The pain was immense. He hadn't even gotten a chance to apologize. And now, he would never get the change again.

"I'm so...so...sorry Commander," he whispered, tears flowing down his cheeks.

Suddenly, a faint cry could be heard from the distance. Looking up, both changelings could see two black dots falling towards the ground below. Standing up in disbelief, Haze shouted. "That's Shift! And that must be the Commander. I don't believe it. I don't buckin' believe it!"

"But look," Forge said, pointing his hoof at the equine-shaped figures, "they're falling towards their deaths!"

The Commander watched as the ground rushed towards him, expanding and growing larger. As he gazed downwards, he saw his entire life flash before his eyes.

He was a hatchling, opening up to the green light that was the swarms' birthing chambers. Another little changeling next to him was carried up by a stern looking overseer. With a nod the overseer said something he didn't understand. Only later on would he know the word as "amnesia". The Commander had been placed under the care of a Big Brother. For the time being, he learned how to be a changeling and eventually, went to class to study. He was shy, but as time grew on, and as the teasing continued, he became troublesome. He laid traps, and pulled pranks upon unsuspecting classmates. As he grew older, he was assigned to guard duty for the Royal Conversion Chambers, where his reputation as a prankster only grew. Then came the day the Queen called him to her throne. And with the power vested in her, she dubbed him Commander in Chief of the Changeling Armada.

Well it had been a good life to say the least. Sure, he had his regrets every now and then, but all in all, it was totally worth it. No matter what they said, he was happy to have lived this long. Closing his eyes, he awaited his fate.

After several seconds, he noticed that the wind was now blowing against his side rather then under him. Opening his eyes, he saw that he was no longer moving down, but rather to the side.

"Hey," he cried, "who broke the laws of physics?"

"I did," said a sarcastic voice. Looking up, the Commander gaped as a familiar face smiled down upon him.

"You really are a queer aren't you?"

The Commander was deposited with a small oof as he landed in front of Forge and Haze, Shift in tow. Instantly, Haze locked Shift in a bear hug, promising the partner that he would never leave him like that again. Forge took down his hat and trotted towards the group, relief flooding his face.

"I'm glad to see you hadn't buck the bucket yet Commander sir."

The Commander merely chuckled. "Well, I'm glad to hear that those two guards over there didn't finish you off like I thought they would." The two changelings snickered for a brief moment. Then, Forge's face grew serious.

"I'm sorry about earlier. I would have come, but then again I had the wind knocked out of me."

The Commander laid a hoof over the bounty hunter's shoulder. By his appearance, Forge was about his age, probably even from the same batch. "How's your boss doing?"

"He's still in the zebra's cottage. Zecora agreed to help them and for me, it was just some bed-rest and herbal stew to get me running." Forge seemed to pause for a second, his eyes drifting up to the Commander's rescuers. "Though I do have to say that these three changelings saved my shell too. If it wasn't for these guys, I would still be lying in that road."

The Commander turned to the three changelings hovering above him. "Reflect Fury, how nice of you to drop in on such short notice."

Reflect merely grinned, and nudged the Commander on the helmet. "Well I told you that I needed to find my mates first." The changelings beside Reflect came down and shook the Commander's hoof with a strong grip.

"I'm Zeth, and that's Vapor. Look's like you four have been in quite the pickle recently."

"Like you wouldn't believe." Haze called out, "General Carbon here-"

The Commander thrashed his head to glare at Haze, "I'm not General Carbon! How many times must I SAY THIS!"

The guards halted, a bit taken aback at his words. Looking at each other, the two guards slowly approached him, finally taking in the doubt that they may be chasing the wrong changeling. "Well if you're not the general, then who are you?"

"I'm the Commander in Chief you numbskull! Geez, we're practically from the same story!"

"Excuse me," Shift said.

"Oh," The Commander whispered, "right, sorry about that. Must be the combat seeping into my brain."

"Right," Haze said slowly. Turning back to his associate, he made a shrug. "I guess we've been out of it for too long Shift. First we miss out on the Canterlot Invasion-."

"Wait a second," the Commander interrupted, "you weren't present at the Canterlot Invasion?"

The two changelings looked at each other nervously before blushing. "Well, we kinda missed out on that for various reasons. Ummmmmm, anyhow, we weren't present at your promotion. Sorry about that Commander sir."

The Commander waved a hoof. "Hey, that's all in the past. I mean, look at us right now. At one point or another, I've been enemies with all of you have I not?"

One by one, each changeling nodded. Forge had tried to bring the Commander back as a bounty prize. Haze and Shift had tried to do the same when they finished their battle with Forge. And Reflect just downright hated him.

"Well, I was about to say you couldn't be General Carbon," Vapor offered. The changelings turned their attention to him, quizzical expressions plastered over their faces.

"Well I suppose since you were under my command..." the Commander began.

"Wouldn't you have been able to tell, General Fury?" Zeth asked Reflect. Suddenly, the whole group turned silent. All eyes shifted to the Commander, who finally broke the silence.

"What-what are you talking about?"

"Didn't you know?" Zeth said, "Reflect Fury here is a general. And not just any general. He's head of the intelligence organization. All that secret stuff no one else knows about. You can't tell me you two shared a cell and he never told you-"

Reflect shoved a hoof into Zeth's mouth, silencing whatever words were going to come out. However, the damage had already been dealt. His frown now apparent to everyone present, the Commander stepped out of the rubble pile and towards an open candy shop.

When Reflect finally took his hoof off of him, Zeth spat a wad of saliva, which emitted a torrent of "Ewwwwws" and "Gross!". Zeth shrugged the comments off, his eyes focused on Reflect's.

"What the buck man?"

"He never knew I was a general, Zeth. I told him I was just another drone under his command."

"I never knew you were a general," Haze stepped forward, his eyes riveted on Reflect's figure. "And I have to know all the generals."

Reflect sighed as if he was explaining something so obvious it was stupid. "I'm the General of Intelligence. No changeling knows who I am except for the ones I work with and the ones in command. Sure, a stray word gets out every now and then, but we don't publicize it. We run the risk of exposing vital information if every member in the swarm knew who had it. Why, they could just point in my general direction!"

The group was silent, causing Reflect to give a groan as he ran towards the shop. This left Zeth and Vapor to handle the three remaining drones. "I guess this is pretty embarrassing at the moment."

"Like you couldn't imagine."

"You've got some nerve to show up here."

"This isn't going to end well."

"Commander!"

The Commander was walking up the stairs, tears dripping from his eyes as he did so.

"Commander!"

He slammed the door shut, only for it to open two seconds later.

"Commander just please listen to me for a second-"

The Commander turned and slapped Reflect right in the cheek, sending the general crashing into a bookcase. Getting up, his wound still stinging from where he had been hit, the general rushed to catch up with the officer. Eventually, he found the changeling sitting over the railing of a balcony, his eyes focused on the Everfree Forest ahead.

"Commander I-"

"Will you look at the forest Reflect, and tell me what you see?"

Reflect sighed and looked at the forest. All he could see was a cottage in the distance, followed by the variety of fauna that made up the forest boundary. "I see a cottage, I see trees."

"I see my home."

Reflect coughed, choking on his saliva at the Commander's words. "What are you talking about? Our home is back in the Badlands! You know this!"

"You know for an intelligence officer you really have trouble understanding the meaning behind my statement."

Reflect merely grew silent. Taking up a railing near the Commander, the two officers watched the battle rage on across Ponyville. Here and there, mares and stallions fought with drones and captains. It was no use, there was no victor in any of them.

"Reflect, why were you under my command as a simple drone? I don't think the queen would place you in such a vulnerable spot."

"You wouldn't want to know the truth Commander."

"Try me."

Reflect heaved another breath before he continued.

"When the queen assigned you as Commander in Chief, she already expected you to die. All Commanders do eventually towards the end of the wars, when they've lived their purpose. You ever wonder what the hive does to changelings who are perfectly healthy on the outside, but completely messed up on the inside?"

The Commander was silent, unfazed by the question.

"They kill you. They find a way to get rid of you in public execution, except the hive would question us if we just executed perfectly healthy changelings for no apparent reason other then pranks. So we do the opposite, we make them heroes and send them to the front lines to be dealt with. At the time, many of the generals were questioning the Queen on Double's sanity. She was...quirky to say the least. But she was loyal and brilliant when it came to preparing a war. Still, they wanted a second opinion. They were power hungry, and we knew of their plans behind the Queen's back. A being known as the Matriarch, a synthetic changeling derived of a dragon, had poisoned their minds with grandeur. However, the Queen let her live because she knew the Matriarch would never dare try to oppose her without the hive's backing. You know your friend Forge down there."

Reflect gestured his hoof towards the changeling with the top hat.

"Forge was a colonist who went with the others to set up outposts in pony settlements. He's one of the younger batches who just transferred to that recent settlement in Appleloosa. But he is exactly what the Matriarch is trying to use against us."

The Commander was still as quiet as before, not reacting to anything the general said.

"Well, anyway, let me go back on track here. The Queen promoted you because you were the worst changeling in the hive who just happened to be perfect in all physical facets. Unlike Ditto, who proved her worth by surviving, you just proved how much of a blessing it would be if we executed you. The Queen decided that with the invasion in Canterlot, she could kill two birds with one stone. However, she needed a guarantee that you would die in the field. So, she told me to go undercover and watch you."

The Commander turned to stare at him, the sadness in his eyes almost becoming palpable. "You watched me the entire time?"

"Yes. In fact, the armor your'e wearing right now is technically mine. She let you have your fun for the week before the invasion as a going-away present. Then, when the invasion began, I kept a close eye on you. Finally, I saw, well noticed really, you getting beaten to a pulp where you should have been killed."

The Commander stared at him skeptically. "I was just knocked out when that pink pony shot me with a party cannon."

Reflect pondered on this thought before answering him. "You must have developed temporary amnesia. Anyhow, you did get up after getting hit by the cannon. You then proceeded to attack a group of guards, who, well, owned you and left your body back where you got hit by the cannon.

The Commander absently rubbed his head, wondering if he had indeed played a bigger part in the conquest. But what did it matter anyhow? He was supposed to be dead. Reflect continued after the long pause.

"Truth be told, I was sure you had perished in the fight. Afterwards, I gave my report to the Queen, and then the forcefield came up shortly afterwards. In the resulting blast, I was cut off from the hive. And then I got captured, imprisoned with you. I was shocked to my very nerve when I saw your form. But of course, I had to hide it."

"So you've known about this since we first met." the Commander hissed.

"Yes."

"I suppose I should feel over-joyed that my most distasteful facets were the sole reason for my elevation up the hive hierarchy."

"Please Commander, I-"

"Do you know why I want to live in the Everfree Forest?"

Reflect was speechless. He still didn't know how to answer the question pressed upon him by the changeling officer.

"Because at least they'll let you know when they want to kill you."

"Commander-"

"Don't call me that name," he hissed, "It's not my title. It never was. You all knew it too. It was just another way to get rid of a rotten egg. I accept that. But I didn't expect it to come from you, Reflect."

Reflect slammed his hoof, "Listen, times have changed-"

"Have they?"

Reflect glared at him. "Of course they have! Look at what's happened in the last few hours. Insubordination, rebellion, attempted assassinations, and unauthorized incursions on enemy territory!"

He sighed before continuing, "We need you right now is all I can say. I know it's hard to hear the truth, but-"

"No," the former Commander interjected, "I'm grateful to finally hear the truth. I don't want any more lies. But the point is, I'm not a leader. I was a compromise formed to settle disputes and get rid of undesirable characters."

"But Commander I-"

The former Commander in Chief slowly reached over his ebony helmet. Then, he carefully slid it across his horn. As the helmet came off, he unfastened the metal strap that held his chest plate, which fell with a sickening clang.

"I believe this is yours, General Reflect Fury," he uttered in a calm tone.

"Commander don't-"

CLANG!...clang!

The helmet fell at the general's hooves. Gazing down, he picked it up and tried to hand it back, but the Commander had already flew off the railing, landing below to a startled group of changelings. They stood by, motionless as the now 'naked' officer trotted in the general direction of the forest. Forge, finally shaking off his initial shock, tried to call out.

"Commander, what do you think your-"

"I'm not your Commander. I never was."

The group gasped, their eyes wide at the changeling's statement. Finally, Haze ran up to him. "Please Commander. I'm sorry I called you general, but I promise to address you with your real title from now on."

"I have no title, Haze. Don't you get it? I'm...nothing. I never was."

Stepping aside, the guard watched the changeling he had been chasing trot off towards the crater ahead. Reflect landed with a loud thump, his hooves still holding his former armor. "Please, Commander-"

"My name is Morpheus. Morpheus Bloom."

Reflect paused. He had never heard the Commander use his real name before. It was odd, and it made as much sense as his own. It was one that seemed to belong to an aristocrat, but at the same time, the ending had a sweet, hopeful tinge to it. It was as if it spoke of future seasons, and of future changes to come. But as he thought about this, the Commander had already made it up a hill. Reflect tried to chase him, but fell back on his hooves, caught in a knelt-down position.

"Don't..." Reflect choked, his words unable to form as he stifled back a whimper, "...don't..."

But as they looked on, the changeling known as Morpheus, former Commander in Chief of her Royal Highness Queen Chrysalis the First, and one of the most interesting changelings they had ever met,...now vanished into the cloud of debris.

Being demoted by yourself sucks...

The sky was an odd shade of grey mixed with spotlights above, revealing the melon-colored sunlight ahead. Reflect merely stared at it, his face solemn and distant. Around him, other changelings were taking in the news. The two guards, Haze and Shift, were the first to finally get over it. Seeing as they had to report back to their superior, they decided to delineate on these thoughts later. It was, surprisingly, Forge who was having the hardest time moving.

"What do we do now General Fury?" Vapor finally asked.

It took Reflect a good ten seconds before he answered his subordinate. "We continue our job Zeth, let's...let's go." And with that, the general turned and propelled himself in the air, followed closely by his two officers-in-hooves. Meanwhile, Forge stood by for another minute, thinking over what he saw.

I've seen that look in only one other changeling, and he ended up becoming the most ruthless bounty hunters in the hive. If the Commander, or Morpheus as his name was called, had experience an emotional breakdown like that of Thresh, then the results could be devastating.

However, he couldn't go after something that didn't want nor need him. So, he took off towards Zecora's place, his mind already wondering what condition his friends were in and if they were ready for another fight.

The Matriarch sensed it. Being part of the hive had given her powers she could never dream or fantasive about. However, with this power, did come its setbacks. She could feel the emotions of every changeling in her command. From the generals to the settlers, each one of them had a profound effect on her sanity. Right now, she was writhing in pain as a great sting penetrated her cerebellum.

Somewhere, a changeling had lost his or her will to continue. To proceed with their job. They were...detaching from the swarm! As her eyes closed to subdue the agony, she began to concentrate on clearing her mind. It was a slow, excruciating process, but it always helped her regain composure again.

Taking careful steps to avoid tripping, the changeling slowly made his way to the forest. He was still a few miles out. But as the sun gleamed overhead, he heard a faint call and turned to see a squad of four changelings rushing up to him.

"Where do you think you're going?" the changeling questioned him. "There's a war going on if you haven't noticed."

The Commander, now known as Morpheus, merely shrugged. "That's your problem. Not Mine." With this, he turned to continue his trek to the woodlands that would be his home. The changeling leader of the group ran up to him, grabbing him by the shoulder.

"Hey! Who do you think you are? I'm the Swarm Centurion of this group and I am giving you a direct order to offer assistance!"

Morpheus wanted to slap the officer right in the snout. However, he was in no position to do so. Besides, it would probably cause more damage then was already being dealt. "Listen, I have a unit I need to get to just a few klicks from here. Just let me talk to my commanding officer and I-"

The Centurion laughed out loud, "Are you serious? All swarms in this region have been ordered to attack this outpost. So unless you think you're more powerful then the High-General herself, I suggest you follow my orders little worm or I'll hold you in for treason."

The Commander heaved a sigh before reluctantly complying with the officer's orders. After all, he wasn't a Commander anymore. He was just another drone. And drones responded to Centurions, who responded to Captains, who responded to Lieutenants, who responded to Generals, who responded to the High-General.

Haze and Shift were nearing a clearing when they saw a shadow crossed over the roof. Looking at each other in confusion, the two guards merely buzzed over to the sight. Looking through the enormous, gaping hole in the roof, they saw only a pile of rubble and empty tables.

"Whatever that thing was, it isn't here now," Haze said dejectedly.

There was a rumble, and Shift instantly cocked his head to one side to see a black cape flirt into a corner. Pointing a hoof in that direction, he used the other to get his partner's attention. Apparently, he had hit his partner to hard for a small cry of pain echoed throughout the building's architecture. Looking at him with an irritated expression, Haze slowly followed his partner to the sight of the mysterious piece of fabric.

Leaning over the corner, they saw nothing but a dead end. Sighing to themselves, the two turned back, scanning the shops and homes for any sign of life. However, the street was as silent as a ghost town. There was nothing to be found.

Shift was just about to give up searching all together when he saw a violet fedora hat slip into a roof. His frustration taking the better of him, the changeling fired a blast that caused the flimsy structure to crumble beneath his hooves.

"Shift!" his partner hissed, "what in the name of our queen are you doing?"

"I saw it this time," Shift cried, "a hat. We're being watched! I know it!"

Shoving his partner to the side, Haze walked up to the building. Unsurprised by its empty, drab interior, the changeling turned back to his partner. "Shift this is the last time I root out another one of them imaginary spies for you-"

BAM!

The kick landed right on Haze's cheek. Shift could only watch as his partner collided with a nearby pillar. Rearing himself for another assualt, he was surprised to see the attacker was a small mare by the looks of it. However, the mare was dressed like some sort of make-believe masked vigilanter with a cape and hat to top it off.

"Listen kid, this is war, not buckin' playtime-Ahhhhh!"

The vigilante leapt at him with frightening velocity, knocking him back towards the opposite building. Getting up, his shell aching, he fired a volley of spells at the mare, who dodged it with the agility of a jumping spider and the grace of a swan.

Haze had already managed to get over the initial shock of getting punched in the face when another punch landed point-blank in his snout. Disoriented, the changeling collapsed over a pile of books. His eyes ringing, he could see that although the mare had a piece of black cloth covering her face, she had eye-ports for her sensory organs to detect the next movement each of them planned on making.

Rushing to the aid of his partner, Shift lifted Haze off the broken shelf, their eyes riveted on the mare. Circling each other, the two parties were silent, hesitant to make the first move. It was at this time that Shift could make out a ripple in the cloth, forming a sort of smile where the mare's mouth would have been.

"Listen kid," Haze spoke, "we're just passers. Let us go, and I promise you this will be less painful then it has to be."

The mare merely stared blankly at his statement. Finally, looking at Shift, Haze figured the pain was going to be spread between the both of them.

"What do we do now Haze?" Shift whispered as the two circled the mysterious mare.

Haze had only one plan that had a sliver of a chance of survival. "Run."

As if set on accelerate, the two changelings turned high-tail and ran as fast as their legs could carry them. Turning around, they could see the mare was easily catching up, not wasting even a drop of sweat.

"She's gonna get us. She's gonna get us! HAZE! We're gonna die!"

"Shut up and run faster if you wanna live to tell this tale to your little brother," Haze barked, his eyes looking back in horror as the mare skipped her way to them. His partner was right. It was a losing battle. They would never make it. Their hooves grinding to a halt, the changelings turned back raised their hooves in surrender.

"Please don't shoot! I wanna live!" Shift cried out.

"Yeah! What he said! Come on kid, we're passers. Just let us go!"

The mare had paused to listen at their pleas for mercy. Then, they heard a giggle erupt from the mask as the vigilantes waved a hoof for them to stop. "Silly fillies! Why didn't you say so? I was going to let you pass when your friend over there became a Mister-Nosey Pants."

Haze merely stared daggers at Shift, causing the changeling to shudder.Turning back to the mysterious mare, he said, "Allow me to apologize for our intrusion. I hope this means...we're off the hook."

The mare simply gave them another blank, undreadably stare. The changelings could feel sweat already pouring from their faces when Shift broke the silence. "So ummmm...we'll just...go."

Before the masked maniac could say anything else, the pair had raced down the street, vanishing in the next corner. When they were sure they were clear, Haze and Shift decided to take a breather. They didn't care about being off-course from their objective. All that mattered was that they had avoided what would likely have been one of the last fights of their life.

Morpheus was pinned down in a florist shop, his horn firing stray shots towards a trio of three mares wielding...party cannons! Memories flooded his mind as he recalled how these very weapons could change the tide of battle. When he had been Commander, he had expected to bypass the pink pony. But as fate would have it, he ran into the barrel.

"Well I'm not going to get hit again. I'll make sure of that!" He slowly began to creep forward, his eyes darting here and there. On the other side, his unit were lying in wait, their eyes filled with anxiety as the cannon took out changeling after changeling. The Swarm Centurion glanced up towards Morpheus, mouthing his command.

"Go and try to get behind them. We'll cover you."

"And how the buck do you suppose I do that?" Morpheus yelled as another blast from the cannon took out four changelings in the air. "Have you seen what's happened to every changeling that get's near them?"

"Oh please don't give me them negative waves now!" the Centurion barked. "Just imagine you'll get there and you'll get there!"

"But I won't!"

"I said quit it with them negative waves!"

Taking in a deep breath, Morpheus slowly began to crawl towards the cannon, taking cover when necessary. He ducked in and out, hiding behind piles of rubble. Another blast sent a pair of soldier flying into a living room in the next cottage behind Morpheus.

Turning back, he saw his squad firing barrage after barrage. Suddenly, a shadowed figure popped up behind them. Before the squad could react, they were bucked, chucked, and thrown into muck.

Morpheus only gulped, his eyes wide as the masked mare disappeared once more in the shadows. Looking back towards the cannon nest ahead, he began to hum a tune that he would use for his confidence. Normally, this song would allow him to take in the fear that was now threatening to burst right out of his vocal cords. But with the cannon fire and the cries of pain echoing from the injured, Morpheus knew it was getting harder and harder to regain his composure.

He had managed to make twelves yards in the last ten minutes or so, which was saying something considering he had doubted his superior's idea since the beginning. Another blast and three changelings fell off the roof and took a tumble towards the ground below.

Come on Morpheus, don't give up now. You gotta keep going. Alright you can do this. Inching ever closer to the colorful cannons, he couldn't help but notice how humiliating this was. An entire army of changelings being subdued by streamers and confetti. Oh, don't forget the cream-filled pastries that were being fired by the other cannon. If he ever survived this, he would make sure to arrange a meeting with Double later on.

However, as the blasts continued to take out more and more changelings, he was doubting that likelihood more and more.

Forge was hunched expectantly over his boss's bed. Thresh had apparently woken earlier, only to fall back asleep when he found out Forge had already left. Now not even moving an inch, Forge waited for his friend to come back.

"Why do you wait?" Zecora asked, "Surely you have something else to do today?"

"Not anymore," Forge said, "how are Cloak and Blend?"

Zecora smiled, her eyes gazing at the two snoring changelings that were Cloak and Blend. It was an odd miracle that a zebra had taken pity upon them. Surely, she would have thought they were the enemy. However, despite the current situation, she had taken it upon herself to care for the gang of bounty hunters.

"Your mates are doing well, but yo do not look as swell."

Forge gave chuckle, "Well that's one thing I we can agree on. It's been...well...hard the last couple of days. I've been going through a lot, and I don't know how to sort it all out."

Zecora went back to the kitchen, and took out a steaming broth of stew. Offering it to him, Forge gently declined. "I don't feed on normal food miss."

"Ahhhh but this stew is no normal brew."

Forge was about to argue further, but seeing as the Zebra had been such a good hostess already, he accepted the soup without further argument. Instantly, the soup burned down his throat and mixed with his gut. His body went into a temporary, trance-like state of euphoria before relaxing in a more meditative tone. The worries plaguing him now cleansed of his mind, Forge merely sat back and took a nap.

The Matriarch continued to wheeze and gasp in agony as the surges continued. She was writhing in pain. A hopeless creature derived of any sanity or will to go on. It was a punishment that she could not escape. It was an agony like no other.

Suddenly, a wave of euphoria rushed through her veins and she heaved a sigh of relief. The pain subsided and she could finally see that she had sprawled her form over the throne room. Getting up, she turned to see her chambers devoid of life.

And that was when it hit her. The euphoria was a sign of a burden being lifted. A burden that she couldn't afford to lose. And that burden...was the colonies themselves.

Reflect had managed to find sanctuary in a torn-up bookstore. Based on most of the prices, he would say that whoever had previously inhabited this area was fairly dim-witted in business if he thought he could get away with these prices. However, a blast from outside reminded him of his duty.

"Zeth," Reflect said, "guard the entrance with Vapor, I have to attend some duties and I'l need a perfect connection to do it."

Immediately, the two changelings rushed towards the entrance, where they kept a watchful eye over the block ahead.

Taking in a deep breath, Reflect closed his eyes and began to concentrate. His mind slowly began to empty itself until it was as clear as purified water.

Contacting Generals

The usual buzz of communication was silent.

This is Reflect, I am contacting all Generals! Major invasion in Ponyville district be advised.

Nothing.

What's going on out there!? Reflect slammed his hoof against a shelf, toppling it over the floor. The generals were not responding. So either they were dead or occupied. But occupied with what?

One by one, icy-blue eyes dissolved out of the shadows, surrounding a cowering Matriarch. It was a night sky of celestial stars that came from all directions. And they were all darted at her.

The Matriarch could only watch the shadows move as a whole, the darkness eating more and more of her throne with each passing step.

There was no exchange of words. No last goodbyes. No angry shouts and accusations. The Council had decided as one, for perhaps the first time, to do what they were about to do.

She wouldn't be able to stop them. Her power had been greatly reduced to about the strength of the common drone. And even if she did have her powers, how could she stand up against an army of highly trained generals, colonels, and centurions?

No. She knew what to do next. After giving one more glance at the incoming army, she closed her eyes, and waited. A rush of emotions circled her as the shadow grew ever closer. But in the end, they were just her emotions. And now it was time to face the consequence of power.

Thresh woke with a start, causing Forge to slip out of his chair and onto the floor. Looking around him, he could tell he was no longer at the mercy of Double. However, he could also see that this entire hunt hadn't been some nightmare he had just woken out of.

"Thre-Thresh?" Forge yawned.

"Morning Forge," Thresh replied groggily, "what the buck happened?"

Forge raised a brow at his friend before explaining the events of the last week. "...and then we were attacked by those two guards."

"And how did we get here?"

"General Reflect found our group and brought us here. As for what happened afterwards...well..."

As Forge began to explain the events that happened afterwards, Thresh could only widen his eyes in shock. Not only had the prisoner been a second-in-command, but he was also a ploy developed after he left the hive for the colonies! He couldn't believe it! The nerve of the Queen always surprised him. Many changelings never knew what it was like to be the High-General. From what he had once heard, the new High-General was a wack-job. But then again...

"So what's next Thresh," Forge asked.

Thresh thought for a good minute or so. With the kind of chaos going on, it would probably be better to leave while the going was still good. But then again, Double was alive. The little changeling he had pained himself to watch. The changeling he thought was gone. The only reason he had spiraled himself into this hole of self-pity. It seemed almost ironic that she got his job afterwards. That she had won the position of High-General by playing with a thing that was non-existent in a changeling. Emotion.

But emotion was in a changeling. Sure, they tried to repress emotion in the military through rigorous training and countess covert ops. However, no changeling was ever truly spared of an emotion. All changelings had emotion, but some let their emotions guide them. Some couldn't just take what the law said and use it as a basis for showing loyalty.

Double was that kind of changeling. At such a young age, she had been thrown into two worlds, and so had two codes to look at. She was given a choice that no other changeling had ever had in their life. And she had chose her adopted parents over her true family. What did that say about the Swarm?

If any of the other changelings had been the same choice, would they have abandoned the swarm as well? Had the old ways faltered so much in a world that was radically undergoing change after change after change? Thresh wanted to leave, to return to the life he had made for himself. But he couldn't return. He couldn't go back to the colonies. Perhaps the answers to his questions could be answered by Double.

"We need to go back to Ponyville." Thresh finally concluded out loud.

"What?" Forge stood up, eyes wide, "It's a war zone down there! We can't just head back there after finally healing from our injuries."

Thresh locked his eyes with Forge, who stood perfectly still. "Forge, let me ask you something. Have you ever wondered why things are the way they are? Have you ever asked yourself if your'e seeing the whole story?"

"I don't need to see the whole story."

"Well now is one of those few times you get a choice in this. You can go back to the colony and stay there, or you can come with me and find some of those answers. The choice is yours."

Forge was flabbergasted. He had never heard Thresh talk like this. He regarded his situation and it took only the curiosity of discovery to make him nod his head and followed Thresh out the door.

"Oh dear Chyrsalis I'm dead!" Morpheus screamed as another blast collided with a wall. He had managed to crawl under a table, unaware at how doomed he already was. The blasting continued for another moment before it seemed to subside.

Thank you. Morpheus breathed in before peeking through the covers. The mares had managed to take out an entire army! The only survivors left were cowering in the shadow of a yellow pegasus of all things! If Morpheus had still been the Commander, he would have stomped those fools for surrendering to the enemy.

As he gazed on, he suddenly saw a flash of green and a unicorn vaguely resembling the Element of Magic popped out. On either side of it was a ragged old doll and in the other, the motionless General-

"Carbon!" Morpheus almost screamed.

Based on the green aura used to carry both objects, he could tell it was a changeling of some sorts. However, why and how they defeated Carbon was a complete mystery to him. But then again, it could just be that this changeling still honored the Commander's rule and simply took it upon themselves to deal out justice.

"Well it's too bad I'm not a Commander anymore," he sighed.

From what he could tell, General Carbon was going to be executed back at the swarm. It was a shame. As much as he hated the general, the Commander still had respect left for him. But the punishments in the swarm were severe and final. He could do nothing to save Carbon now.

“Are you High-General Double? I bet you are!” the one known as Pinkie seemed to squeal, “Welcome to Ponyville! I’m Pinkie Pie!”

“Hi, Pinkie Pie! And Fluttershy, too!” the newcomer replied happily, looking at the pegasus. “I’ve been waiting to meet you two for so long! But that’ll have to wait; I have other things to attend to right now.”

Morpheus jerked back against the table, banging his head on the side. Holding in the tears threatening to erupt from his eyes, he continued to listen in, his thoughts buzzing with so many questions he could barely keep track. Double was here? The High-General was working with ponies? She owns a doll?

Double turned and poked Mirror in the forehead. “You, change back into that other form you’ve been spending the past week in! I want to see it!”

Morpheus' mouth was wide open. Another changeling!? How many traitors were there in this swarm? And how did he not see this one coming at all? This was like one of those shockers where the main character gets betrayed and stuff. Or it's one of those movies where the second-in-command gets betrayed and shot in the face. Hopefully, the former only existed in the movies.

In a second, the white pegasus was now a familiar brown pony he knew quite well. Despite the fact he was witnessing an actual changeling, Morpheus still had a fangasim. In fact, it was a miracle he had managed to keep in all the noise to himself.

"It's Daring Do!" He hissed joyfully, "I never thought I would see the day where I would meet Daring Do in person. I mean this is like a dream come-"

BOOM!

The cannon went off, sending a projectile of cake batter and frosting at Morpheus, who stared wide-eyed. "Oh son of a diamond dog-"

BANG!

The impact sent the changeling flying into the rubble, before a veil of darkness surrounded him and all was black. Meanwhile, another unicorn appeared from the side, her eyes gazing at the frost-covered former Commander before her.

Why do I even bother with these fools Queen Chrysalis thought maliciously. Well, you've failed me yet again Commander...

But Morpheus did not give a response as his still form laid motionless among the rubble...

Hasbro and Friends...

The light began to flood Morpheus's eyes as he felt a great weight lifted off him. Turning around, he could see faint images of the battle slowly morph into wisps of smoke in the air. Illusions that never were really there.

Turning around, however, proved to be quite different. Walls became solid, and movement more and more animated. Suddenly, there was a resounding bang and Morpheus landed with a dull thump on what felt like a marble surface.

"Owwwww.."he moaned, "I need to lay off the sugar next time."

As he looked up, however, his eyes froze at a gold-plated sign spread over a fancy white-marble gate. It read only one word.

"'HASBRO'?" Morpheus mused, "what in Equestria is 'Hasbro'?"

Around him, the clean, clear surface spread endlessly as a dense fog blocked the horizon. Deciding that he didn't have much of a choice to begin with, Morpheus moved forward. The gates opened with a sing-song tune that made him shiver. This place was creepy.

As he continued down the street, he could see random ponies, weird two-legged beings, and giant, monstrous robots! All of which were minding their own business and talking as if neither side knew the other existed. Pristine, white-washed shops had colorful signs and displays ranging from candies to rather odd looking devices that projected fire, flames, energy, or all three.

"What is up with this place?" he thought.

Everything was white. It was as if no color had entered Hasbro except for the very life-forms themselves. As Morpheus reached the end of the street, he noticed a brown, rusty patch of steel mashed together. Atop the mess was a bright neon sign screaming "BAR!".

"Well I might as well give anything a try right?"

Stepping forward, he pushed on the iron door which creaked and groaned under the pressure of his hoof. Inside, the place was just as disheveled if not worse then the outside. Around him, he noticed more of these two legged beings, some wielding magical powers in their hands (he could tell because there was no way even these creatures could naturally hold fire and ice and lightning at the same time while having a legitimate conversation) Also, amongst all the two-legged fleshlings, was a large, imposing mechanical behemoth.

He was mostly silver,with a red center and blue arms. A gold, transparent glass-like stone embedded his chest plate. Also, his head had a sort of black, armor-like helmet while his "wings" had an odd, purple symbol emblazoned on each.

"Bunch of weirdos..." Morpheus exclaimed as he slowly walked up to the bar, where a cheerful voice answered him out of nowhere.

"Hi there and welcome to the Hasbro Bar! What can we get for you today Commander Morpheus?"

Morpheus almost jumped back, his eyes staring at the air where the voice came from. "How do you know my name?" He began to sweat, his blood frozen as he tried to understand what was going on.

"We are what made the universe you were born in Commander Morpheus!" The voice replied cheerfully, "We're Hasbro! The almighty and all-powerful force that rules over all our products. You may not know this, but your world and everything you know about it was created by us!"

The voice seemed to pause for a good second or two before continuing.

"And by a few fans but that's nothing to worry about! We still own you no matter what those silly fan fiction writers say!"

Morpheus' mind was frazzled. He was quite sure that his drool must have been sloshing out of his mouth when he finally replied to the machine. "You lost me at fans..."

"Oh don't worry," the voice said, unfazed by his comment, "we at Hasbro understand this is a lot for anyone to take in. That's why we enable one product in every toyline to instantly have complete understanding of Hasbro and the world it was born in. If you have further questions, you should consult this toy and ask him or her-"

"Oh shut it you scrap heap and get me more energon!" A high-pitched noise screamed.

Turning around, Morpheus noted that the robot was sitting by the stool, annoyance plasted over his shiny gray face as a metal arm dispensed a purple liquid into a cube-like glass. The robot took the glass and began to dump the mysterious liquid into his mouth until the last drip touched his silver tongue. The turning to look at Morpheus, the metal monster talked.

"So you're a Commander?"

"Not anymore..."Morpheus gulped.

The giant laughed and settled back as the robot arm poured another glass of the mysterious liquid that he guess was energon. "Silly fleshling, you can relax here. Hasbro is neutral ground for any side. Be they crossovers or Autobots."

"Autobots? Crossovers? What's going on here!?" Morpheus was sure he was hallucinating.

"Oh yes, you must be from one of those other toylines..."the monster grumbled, "well allow me to introduce myself."

The metal monster stood up, his chest plate puffed out to give him a more heroic look. "I am Commander Starscream of the Decepticon Seekers. I am a robot from Cybertron whose mission is to become leader of all Decepticons, overthrow Megatron, and destroy the Autobots once and for all!"

"Wow..." Morpheus shuddered before resuming his own prideful posture. "I am former Commander Morpheus Bloom the Third of her Highness Queen Chrysalis. I have nothing interesting going on at the moment so that's pretty much it."

Starscream gave a sigh and sat back down. "That was pathetic. My speech was much more dramatic then yours."

Morpheus glared at the 'robot' known as Starscream. "Well my speech is at least more realistic then yours. What are you thinking? Become leader, overthrow everyone? That's stupid!"

"Is not."

"Is too."

"Is not!"

"Is too!"

"IS NOT!" The Decepticon pulled out a large, silver stick that glowed at the tip with purple energy.

"Alright you two stop," the cheerful voice called out, "remember that Hasbro laws state that no violence is to take place in the Hasbro Hub unless authorized to do so. Do you want me to throw you out of here again Starscream?"

Instantly, Starscream dropped his weapon and sat back down, his tongue sticking out at Morpheus, who was also doing the same exact thing. Eventually, Morpheus settled for a bottle of love while Starscream drank away at his energon cubes.

"So....you were a commander before?" Starscream finally asked.

"Yep," Morpheus answered, "and then I found out that my hive just used my promotion as a means of killing me off."

"Well at least we share in one thing."

"What's that?" Morpheus asked curiously.

Starscream settled the glass back down and looked at the changeling, "Well my leader almost always wants to kill me! But because my vocal processors are able to convince him otherwise, he simply puts up with beating me to scrap. One day, I'm sure I'll be killed not ten seconds after I've achieved my victory."

"Well Chrysalis always belittles me ever since my promotion," Morpheus explained, "every time I come up with a plan, she rejects it and-"

"-uses their own plan instead!" finished Starscream, amazed at how similar both their predicaments were. "I hate it when Megatron does that to me!Why, I'm sure the Decepticon would already be pummeling those Autobots if it wasn't for him."

"I know what you mean mate," Morpheus agreed, taking another gulp of his drink, "I mean, my ideas are pretty good once you hear them. But I can never get them past Chrysalis..."

And so the two continued to talk about their lives outside of Hasbro. Starscream told Morpheus of the times he tried to overthrow Megatron while Morpheus told him of the many times he threw pranks on other changelings.

Apparently, Starscream was having a similar predicament. He was second-in-commmand of the Decepticons, and has been for quite some time. With the Autobots and Decepticons currently at war with each other, Megatron has been trying again and again to formulate better plans on obtaining energon, the fuel with which all Cybertronians gained energy from. Anyway, Starscream explained the need for a new leader and just how he was going to do it.

Morpheus explained his background, somehow forgetting to mention that he was a shape shifter and going straight to the juicy parts. He detailed how he hated Chrysalis so much, but put up with her because the hive would kill him if he tried to stand up. However, none could ever deny his pranking, and he began to outline some of his better capers with Starscream.

"I should use some of these in my next plot," Starscream said thoughtfully, "if only more Decepticons were like you Morpheus. Most of them are either too dimwitted or too loyal to understand the necessity of a new leader."

"And if only more changelings had the nerve to stand up to leaders like Chyrsalis like you! I mean, most of the changelings I know are smart, but they're too loyal to do anything about it!"

"So true..." Starscream agreed, "we may be dimensions apart, you and I, but I guess no matter what, both our allegiances lie with fools and idiots."

"So how did you end up here in Hasbro?"

"I was knocked out by Megatron...again. You?"

"Took a party cannon to the face."

"Wow," Starscream tried to hold back his laughter, "that must have been embarrassing..."

Morpheus eyed the Decepticon before answering him, "Yeah it was pretty bad, but you try and see if you can take that kind of caliber of sweetness. It'll make you short circuit."

"I am the most powerful Decepticon there is,"Starscream said, puffing his chest, "nothing can hold me back for long!"

He then turned to the bar, "Another round for me and Commander Morpheus!"

"But this is your 10th round!"

The Decepticon pulled out the stick, which Morpheus now knew as a null ray. "Silence your vocal processors before I extinguish them myself! Another round and keep them coming!"

Morpheus could feel the love overdose getting to him. It was common for a changeling to feel overdosed on love when they go over their limit. Usually, this causes them to slur their speech, use poor judgement, and generally become intoxicated.

By the time they reached their 35th round, Morpheus was already beyond that. Him and Starscream danced, sung by a mysterious device called a karaoke machine, and played a game called Battleship.

"You cannot beat me!" Starscream howled, "I am supreme in the art of war!"

"Missile to C7," Morpheus slurred.

"Impossible!" The Seeker cried, "You sank my battleship!"

And when they finished their game, they went right back to dancing. To imagine a changeling and giant robot from Cybertron testing out their moves is a force to be reckoned with. Thankfully, all Hasbro Hub Bars are equipped to handle such behavior and are built to be indestructible.

"Watch this," Morpheus said, his eyes narrowing. Instantly, green flame after green flame, he cycled among a thousand different forms that ranged from Diamond Dogs to unicorns, to even a cockatrice. Starscream merely observed with utter awe.

"Primus, you can transform as well!" and with that, the Decepticon morphed his body into a sleek-looking metal bird with wings. Morpheus nearly fainted at the sight of such an amazing transformation.

"It's like we are brothers or something!" Starscream proclaimed as he transformed back to his robot mode, "Another round for finding yet another thing we share in common!"

Eventually, however, both Decepticon and changeling were experiencing the effects of their party, and promptly fell to the floor, fast asleep.

When Morpheus awoke, his eyes shifted to the right, where the Decepticon got up with a groan. "By the All-Spark, that was some social gathering we had last night..."

"This is the most fun I've ever had in my life," Morpheus grinned.

"The same can be said here."

Eventually, the two went back to their respective stools and drank another round (since in Hasbro, physics and any science for that matter are thrown out the window). However, a thought that had been plaguing Starscream's mind finally reached the boiling point.

"Why didn't you retort back to your leader?"

"Because I couldn't," Morpheus said solemnly, "and because I didn't want to deal with them."

"And why not deal with them?" The Seeker continued, "You said it yourself that they are your brothers and sisters."

Morpheus turned to face Starscream, his face looking gloomy and gray as he recalled the moment where he found out his life had been a lie. "What family kills off their own?"

"And what second-in-command stays second-in-command forever?"

"Well, I don't want to be part of something that's going to kill me."

"Then fight back," Starscream offered, "fight back and take what's rightfully yours."

Morpheus pushed his drink back, "I can't do that Starscream."

"Because your'e scared at what the consequences will be once you've done it!"

"Exactly," the changeling said accusingly, "isn't that why we all avoid taking such bold plans-"

"Well I take bold risks every time I try to overthrow Megatron!" Starscream yelled, "Every time I fail, I get a beating out of it, but I try again and again and again until I achieve what is rightfully mine."

The Decepticon turned to lock eyes with Morpheus, who did likewise. "Morpheus, you cannot let other forces prevent you from getting what you want. Your'e a commander and the rightful commander of your brothers and sisters. Show them that you are the true leader, and they will overthrow those that have gotten in the way. Prove yourself to be Commander in Chief of the Changeling Armada!"

"But I can't-"

"Then you are weak!"

Morpheus felt his blood rise. He wasn't weak, was he? All the times he had to take a verbal beating from Chrysalis. All the times he was sent on maintenance duty. All the times he was forced to put up with ponies that chased him out of their towns. All the times he even had to put up with that intelligence general Reflect! Not once did he back down, and now he was letting a overgrown pile of rocks tell him that he was weak?

"I am not weak," the changeling growled.

"You are if you don't have the nerve to talk back to your Queen," the Decepticon mocked.

"I will talk back to the Queen. In fact, I'll talk back to every last one of those changelings. I'm the second-in-command of the changeling armada and no force will ever change that!"

"Then what are you?" Starscream chided.

"I am the Commander!" and with that statement a bolt of lightning struck the table with a crack. Morpheus began to take deep breaths, his chest puffing in and out at the sudden rush of energy that had consumed him.

"My name isn't just Morpheus Bloom, Drone of squad Negative Waves. I am the Commander and always will be! All changelings you dare oppose me will be dealt with immediately!"

"That's the spark I want to hear!" Starscream clapped his metallic arms.

Morpheus, or the Commander, merely smirked. "But now I must go back. I have a few traitors to deal with at the moment." And with that, the changeling started to trot back towards the gates of Hasbro. However, not three steps in did he pause to face the Decepticon who had brought him back from the dead.

"Many thanks Starscream."

"If any of us remember this, let's hope to meet back at this bar again," the Decepticon said with a tone of finality.

"And also come back with more stories of grandeur." the changeling added, "oh and good luck with defeating Megatron."

"Good luck with defeating Chrysalis and taking care of all those traitors!"

The two waved and went their separate ways at the intersection. Commander Morpheus could already feel gravity pushing down upon him, causing him to nearly lose his footing.

"Just a few more steps," the changeling said as he reached the gates. Suddenly, the fog enveloped him and he was casted into the darkness below.

Light began to flood the Commander as he woke with a start, his eyes focusing in on the scene before him. He was still covered in frosting and grime. Around him, he could see smoldering houses and torn up pathways. However, the most disturbing sight was in front of him.

A rising inferno of green flames that erupted to show no other then...

"Queen Chyrsalis..." Morpheus whispered, his ears flopping down in utter terror. He hadn't expected this of all things to happen. Chrysalis hadn't been active since the invasion. How in Equestria did she just...show up?

The Queen didn't seem to be in the best of moods. Her eyes scanned each changeling disapprovingly. Even the High-General looked a little stunned to see her Queen come out of nowhere.

“Very disappointed, indeed.” She hissed, hole-filled wings flittering with restrained anger.

The changeling known as Mirror gulped, feeling herself shake at the sight of her queen. “Queen Chrysalis…”

What happened next will forever be recorded as one of the weirdest changeling moments in the history of changeling moments. It all stared with Morpheus feeling his blood boil. The Queen hasn't bee sighted in a week, and now she comes here to insult all his brothers and sisters. His battalion. He had had enough of sticking to the shadows. Now was the time for action.

Perhaps that cannon to the face was all it took to make me realize this. Morpheus thought.

The changeling then turned to the Queen, his eyes glowing red as he marched right up to her. "Chrysalis!"

The Queen flinched at the severity with which her name was used. Turning to face the changeling, she was shocked to see none other then the frost-covered Commander, though he didn't have any armor on him.

"Why Commander Morpheus," she said cynically, "so good of you to join us. Maybe you can explain to me who's brain-dead idea it was to-"

"No you explain some stuff to me you pompous-loving-emotionless-heartless-piece-of-evil-treacherous-lying-cheating-son-of-a-diamond-dog's-mother-in-law-oatmeal-crazy-princess-stealing-never-good-for-nothing-foul-smelling-cheating-self-inserting-daughter-whose-mother-was-gravy-filled-marshmallow-JERK!"

The crowd was silent at the use of such a curse word so profane, that only Discord would have the nerve to use it. Morpheus took in a gulp of air before continuing. "You listen to me and you listen good! I am tired of having you boss me around like a pile of rocks all the time. Every plan I ever gave you was REJECTED outright and with no mercy. Well you know what? I wanted to quit being in my position, especially when I found out you wanted to get rid of me! I mean it's one thing to imagine it and another to realize that's exactly why you were promoted!"

The anger was now become intoxicating. The Commander then thrashed his anger to the nearest changeling around him. "And you Double! It doesn't take a genius to know you had something to do with this. Also, that fireball-devastate-thingy was totally not COOL! NOT COOL! I almost died myself in that stunt of yours. Plus, you actually have a doll? I thought it was rumor but you have a doll? How old are you and now you're playing with a bucking doll!? You maniacal, crazy, psychotic second-in-command!"

He then turned to the other changelings presence, his anger now causing him to lose whatever sanity he held on to. "Mirror! You treacherous empathy-sick scum! I was imprisoned for days and none of you or your friends bothered to save me! Also, why can you never take a good prank? All I wanted to do was get a good laugh out of you, but even then you went up to the Queen and landed me with another week in MAINTENANCE DUTY!"

"And when Carbon comes out of it, I want all of you to know that I ABSOLUTELY DESPISED THE GUY! He's a backstabbing traitor and easily angered-"

"Look whose talking," a changeling muttered.

The Commander turned to face the changeling, his eyes bright orange with rage. "I heard that," he hissed.

Suddenly Reflect Fury rushed to the scene, out of breath as he stood across from the Commander, who turned and glared at him. "And you Reflect Fury! You double crossing subordinate! I thought you were my mate, but you were in on this as well! Well you know what, your'e the queer here! I don't care anymore!"

"Morpheus," Reflect panted, "what the bucking-sam-hill is wrong with you!?"

"I'M VENTING OUT MY ANGER!" Morpheus yelled in a thunderous voice, "and I will vent out my anger however I want because it's been inside of me for too long!"

And the insults continued. All the changelings watched in mild amusement as the Commander thrashed out at anyone who came within a hundred meters of the temperamental changeling. When the Commander was done with them, he turned on the Elements of Harmony.

"And you two harbored a changeling," he hissed, his hoof pointed at Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie, "you guys convicted me not a few days before you found Mirror! I mean, was I really that bad?"

Fluttershy merely whimpered as Pinkie's mane grew flat, her eyes filled with an unseen rage. However, the Commander didn't notice any of this as he proclaimed obscenities.

Finally, there was a green flash and a tumultuous shout caused the whole group, including Commander Morpheus, to be silent.

"SILENCE!"

The Queen turned to glare at her second-in-command. "Now that you've so graciously shared your opinion with everyone around here, I'm hoping you can handle the consequences."

Morpheus narrowed his eyes. This was it. All the anger bubbling inside of him ready to burst out at this exact moment. All the changeling could do was smirk.

"Bring it on."

Double-Crossing...Pt 0.5

“Really now Commander,” the Queen repeated for the second time, her eyes in disbelief at the sudden, and rather rash, surge of confidence coming from her SIC.

“Come at me bro,” The Commander yelled, his hooves brought up in a fighting stance.

“I’m not your bro…” The Queen sighed. She shouldn’t have left the hive to see what would happen if she was gone. Not only had one of her generals betrayed her, but also everyone in the entire swarm was killing each other. And now she was being challenged by a foolhardy Commander in Chief who’s insanity was now on par with Double’s! She knew trying to even go easy would probably kill the poor changeling. Seeing as she didn’t need to spill anymore blood, she decided that the best option…which probably would still get him killed…would be to-

“What are you waiting for,” the Commander cried, “fire away or are you too chicken?”

(Somewhere in the distance, Scootaloo felt as if her name had just been used in an insult.)

The Queen sighed. This just wasn’t her day now was it?

“Listen Commander, I need to explain some stuff to my children and if you will just listen to-“

“No!” Commander Morpheus shrieked.

“Very well…” the Queen hissed, “because I know I will reduce you to cinders if I engaged you in direct combat, and because you’ve really triggered my nerves, I’m going to ask my dear High-General to take care of you. If she doesn’t succeed, then you have my permission to fight me.”

The High-General rushed to her Queen’s side, her eyes filled with unquestionable loyalty as she uttered her words. “I’ll get this traitor for you my Queen! It’ll be fun!”

“Yes, yes,” the Queen said distractedly, before hunching over and whispering something in the High-General’s ear.

Double nodded, a bit relieved for some odd reason. The Commander, however, was still too distracted by his anger to notice any of this.

The Queen then turned to the rest of the hive. “Follow me to the town square where I will be explaining my story to all of you. Double, you know the frequency and you can listen in while you take care of this…formal second-in-command…”

“This is a cowardly attempt to hide, Chrysalis!” the Commander cried, “I won’t go down to easily.”

But the Queen had already departed, along with the rest of the hive, leaving Double and surprisingly Carbon behind to deal out the next move.

Double tossed a navy blue helmet to Morpheus, who picked it up with a bewildered expression. “What’s this suppose to be for?”

“Oh silly Morpheus,” Double giggled, “I can’t fight you without making sure your head has some safety! Don’t you know the rules of engagement? Besides, I want to defeat a Commander in Chief, not a simple drone. Now you are no longer a pawn pretending to be a king!”

“You really are crazy High-General…” Morpheus muttered, the helmet already placed over his head and strapped on with a magical brace.

“Remember when I taught you those dance moves,” Double said in a cheerful tone, “oh I think you were an amazing dancer, but you needed work. It’ll be a shame to do this, but orders are orders aren’t they Mr. Smartypants?”

She nuzzled the grotesque doll to her snout, much to Morpheus’ disgust. “How old are you?”

“Older then you, Mr. Meanie-Pants!” Double’s eyes grew red. “And what’s so wrong about Mr. Smartypants?”

“Oh I don’t know,” the Commander chided sarcastically, “maybe it’s the fact that that THING looks like it was pulled out of some trash can, smothered in ale, thrown into a dumpster for two weeks, hung out to dry near a swamp, left to rot with a bunch of stale oranges, and looks like a filly’s play toy!”

Double was frozen; her legs tense as she began to shake. Her eyes were brimming with water as tears streamed down her cheeks.

“You-you…think Mr. Smartypants is ugly?” she choked.

It was as if the Commander had been slapped out of his tantrum and back to reality. “What have I done?” he whispered to himself.

“You-you…think I’m ugly too?” her voice reached a higher pitch on the last word.

“Uhhhhhh…” Morpheus began to look towards Carbon for help. However, the general merely glared at him with undeniable hatred. Morpheus was on his own for this one.

“I mean, he could use a good wash or two-“

“YOU THINK HE’S UGLY!” she wailed, burying her head in her hooves as she sobbed out loud.

It was the Commander’s turn to be mortified. He had no idea what to do. One moment, Double was ready to kill him and the next, she was crying like a filly who had just been punched in the face.

Guilt as to his earlier tantrum filled the Commander with regret. How had he been so naïve as to forget poor Double was still his sister? How naïve had he been to insult all his friends? The Commander put down his defensive stance, sighing to himself.

“Gosh I’m an idiot.”

Walking up to the sobbing High-General, Morpheus laid a tentative hoof on her carapace. “I’m sorry Double. I didn’t mean to be so insulting. Maybe I was wrong to question Mr.Smarty-“

BANG!

Morpheus flew at supersonic speed towards the nearby wall, colliding with so much force that he went through the house and into the nearby bookstore, the wind knocked out of him. Double was already getting up, a smirk plastered over her face.

“Didn’t the swarm teach you anything Commander,” she said cynically, “compassion is your enemy’s greatest weakness. Or did you think the poor wittle Double was sad?” Her face formed an over-the top frown before going into a fit of giggles.

“Oh but the Smartypants insult won’t be forgotten Mr. Grumpy Hooves,” She said, her eyes flaring a bright red, “You will pay dearly for that. But I’ll make it last. After all, what kind of player would I be if I just extinguished you here and now? It wouldn’t be fun at all!”

Commander Morpheus glared at the High-General, his rage taking full control once again. How dare she use his compassion for weakness.

“Why you…female-hormone-loving-piece-of-resin-secreted-slime-backstabbing-“

The High General rushed up to the armored leader and held him up by his neck, her eyes locked with his. “Are you saying curse words again?”

The Commander couldn’t speak, his lungs gasping for air.

“Cause anyone who says curse words needs a time out…permanently…”

Morpheus still couldn’t speak, his eyes fluttering in panic.

“Oh how sad,” Double said in a gloomy, but sarcastic tone, “the poor wittle changeling can’t speak. What’s wrong Commander? I thought you wanted a fight. Well, I’m here to give you one for saying all those mean words! Isn’t that just fantastic?”

How did we come to elect her again? Morpheus wondered as he felt his brain seep into unconsciousness. Suddenly, the air rushed into his lungs, causing the changeling to gasp.

“Wha-what do you mean?”

Double laughed coldly, “I’m going to show you who really should be in command, Commander Morpheus…”

And with that, a green ring of fire encircled the battlefield, causing the Commander to groan in annoyance.

I’m so dead.

Double-Crossing Pt 2

Transparence was transfixed, unable to make a decision. Her mind was a boggled mess of doubts and facts that were hastily assembled in her mind to form some sort of conclusion.

“Well…” Double asked, her voice sounding a bit irritated.

“I…I…”

What could she say? What should she do? The Commander may have been her temporary leader, but High-General Double was not just her original commanding officer, but her friend as well. There had been several times in the past where Double had saved her on multiple occasions.

“I’m sorry High-General…” Transparence crowed, her head drooping down in shame. “I can’t-“

“THANK CHRYSALIS!” The Commander screamed in glee, a grin plastered over his face. “Oh thank Celestia that there is still a force out there who isn’t delusional and sleeps with a doll-“

“What did you say?” Transparence asked, her ears straight as if they were at attention.

“What do you mean?” The Commander gave the elite changeling a confused look. Last he checked, he hadn't said anything offensive to the changeling did he?

“Did you make fun of Double’s Smarytpants?”. Her dark tone sent shivers down the changeling's spine.

The Commander was flabbergasted, unable to fathom the meaning behind these words."Well I-I-“

“Because you know that’s pretty cruel right?”

“Wait…”the Commander’s eyes darted between the elite and the High-General, “you’re one of them?”

Transparence merely sighed, “Well not exactly, but even I can’t forgive someone who insults a changeling’s personal life. So in that case…”

Before the Commander could protest, Transparence fired a light purple projectile that sent him into a spastic dance.

Then turning to Double, she said, “I think I’m done here. He’s all yours Double.”

“Why thank you Transparence,” Double said with a grin on her face, “I know how loyal you are to Mr. Meanie Pants over there, but I’m glad for your help.”

The Commander was panting, his eyes glaring daggers at Transparence. “What’s…with…everyone…and….Smartypants?”

Transparence left with a humph as Double turned to give the Commander another sadistic grin. "Well you see why being all nasty can get other changelings to turn against you?" Her voice was soft, as if she was lecturing a hatchling.

The Commander could only gape, his eyes in utter shock at just how messed up his fellow officer was. Rising to his hooves, he prepared for another lethal assault. Meanwhile, Double shifted back to her pink unicorn form, a glare now directed towards her former subordinate.

"Let's duel?"

Carbon wasn't one to support obscene theories nor did he realize what he was doing. From the distance, he could see Reflect trotting with other changelings behind their ever loyal queen. "Bunch of fakes!"

He was a changeling of order, but not of compromise. And if Double thought that she could kill him so easily, she would be in for a big surprise.

And he would be the one to make sure she paid indeed.

The Commander coughed a bit of blood, causing his attacker to stop in her place and watch with genuine concern. As he gazed up at her, the changeling eyed the General with a quizzical expression, as if she had overdosed on love libations.

"Uhhhhh...Double?"

The High-General shook herself out of the trance, her eyes once again refocusing on the Commander. "Oh so sorry Commander, I must have had a doozy. As I was saying, I feel it's time to show you what the price for your betrayal has rounded up to."

She then turned and trotted off, causing the Commander to rise up in protest."What the buck Double? Why are you leaving?" The General gave a giggle and swerved her head to view the bewildered soldier. "The Queen didn't want you to die Commander. I was to teach you a lesson and now that you seem to have calmed your meanie-little ass down, I can finally go and join the others. Your welcome to tag along to, but be mindful that I will be babysitting you to make sure you don't have another tantrum."

The Commander was frozen, unable to fathom the full extent of the sound vibrations entering his carapace. "Okay Double, this is really getting out of-"

KA-BOOM!

Double, or Twilight Wish as her current form clearly illustrated, was thrown straight into a pile of debris with a force that managed to tear what little remains of the wall were left. The Commander only had time to dodge as another bolt came from the light pink cannon. Only the problem was that the cannon was being filled with live ammunition and the wielder was a very familiar, former, general.

"Carbon, you could have killed me you half-gaunt bloke!" the Commander squealed.

The general laughed and tossed the cannon aside, his eyes filled with a relentless, blind rage that sent a cold chill down Commander Morpheus' back.

"You fool, Commander," Carbon yelled, "I have nothing left to lose. And with our dear High-General out of the way, I can finally have my revenge with the gauche, no brains, imbecile of a Commander-in-Chief of the Changeling Armada!"

Morpheus took in a deep breath, his eyes focused on the now hornless adversary. Carbon was clearly delusional, but he had retained enough sanity to justify his actions. Where as Double had competed with him for control of the swarm, Morpheus...had...well...been responsible for some pranks that may not have turned into the best of jokes in the end.

"And now I am going to finish you off like a dog!!"

With that, Carbon howled and dashed forward, while Morpheus stood his ground, the ebony helmet sliding off his head. He began to count, the changeling bracing himself for collision with the lunatic of a general.

Wazzam! Clang!

In a matter of seconds, Morpheus swung the helmet directly into the right side of Carbon's cheek, sending him rolling into a pile of wooden planks. Then turning, he dashed off, screaming "RUN AWAY!!" as Carbon slowly got to his hooves, a large bump occupying the right side of his forehead.

"Ahhhhhh...why you little-" But the Commander had vanished, apparently being too cowardly to even face Carbon in battle. The general gave a howl of anger before returning to the motionless body of Double.

"Well High-General," he murmured to himself, "it looks like we got ourselves a coward on the run."

There was once a High General...

Running.

Morpheus wasn’t one to shy from battle, but now he knew he could only hide from the rage that was General Carbon.

As he turned the corner, he dived into a box of tomatoes. This was clearly a bad idea.

His face covered in the sticky, red liquid, Commander Morpheus watched the nebulous form of Carbon rush past him, disappearing in the next street.

“Whew,” Morpheus sighed, crawling out of the heap of rotten vegetables, “perhaps sanity has been thrown out the window in exchange for complete, utter lunacy. I mean, COME ON! Carbon is acting like a brat! And when I find him, I’ll kill him.”

But how was the new question on Morpheus’ mind. For indeed, while Carbon was a rank below him, Carbon was still physically superior to the Commander, even without his horn. So in other words…he was basically screwed in the hoof.

“Well…this sucks.” Morpheus contemplated as he sat down on an overturned carrot barrel. “I’m an idiot. I should never have challenged the Queen or made enemies with Carbon.”

In fact, there were a lot of things he suddenly regretted. Teasing Double and Mirror, being a rather rash fool with Double. Getting caught after the failed invasion, only to be undermined by a general of all things.

“Wait a second,” Morpheus said, a lightbulb suddenly appearing over his head, “Perhaps I still do have an edge over Carbon. In fact…I may even have a barrel or two.”

As Transparence reached the crowd of changelings gathered around the Queen, she spotted a fairly familiar face among the crowd.

“Reflect!” she cried, running towards the fellow drone. As she pushed through the transfixed brothers and sisters, she suddenly realized that Reflect was sitting next to a…guard! After all that she and Carbon did to rescue him he still was willing to risk it? He was as insane as High-General Echo.

Moving to tackle, Reflect suddenly turned and motioned for Transparence to sit by him. Reluctantly, Transparence followed suit and sat next to the delusional general.

“Reflect,” she hissed, “why is there a pony next to you?”

Reflect merely gazed at her before whispering, “Let’s just say that’s another story entirely…”

Deciding to leave the drone to his own ramblings, she focused her eyes on the imposing Queen before her.

“My fellow subjects,” the Queen proclaimed, “I am here to tell you a very important…”

Carbon had been searching furiously for the slippery changeling that was his commanding officer, but without any success. He had just about scanned an entire market before the rumble of a few barrels caught his attention. Swiveling his head in a matter of seconds, he came to snout-to-snout with Morpheus.

“You!” He screamed hysterically.

“Yes,” Morpheus replied coldly, “but you have to catch me first.”

And with that, the changeling darted off down the road, Carbon in full pursuit. Laughing manically, Carbon began to formulate different methods of torture he would impost once he got his slimy hooves on the treacherous waste of secreted resin. Perhaps a day in the chamber with Double would suffice. No, he would enable the use of droplets in the dark, a torture method not used since the Conflict of Forbidden Love some 200 years ago.

“Carbon!”

“What?” Carbon called out sarcastically.

“You should watch your step…”

“What are you mumbling about…”

Suddenly Carbon tipped over against a thin line of string, his face colliding into a puddle of mud. “Arrggghhhh.” The general screamed as he rose up on all fours, eyes blood-red with rage, unaware for the rumble behind him.

“When I find your sorry flank you’ll be praying I…”

Carbon’s ears stood rim-rod straight as his face slowly turned toward the thunderous roar…of barrels. There was no time to dodge as the wooden containers bombarded and trampled the changeling underhoof. Morpheus only had enough time to chuckle before he ran off once more, leaving an annoyed Carbon to fight his way through the avalanche of carrots and apples.

“A time has come for me to explain to you all why we are the way we are…” Queen Chrysalis proclaimed.

At this point, Transparence leaned in, eager to hear the next words to come from her Queen’s mouth.

The Matriarch was paralyzed as the horde closed in, eyes filled with malice and vengeance.

Today I die with my fellow species…forever at peace with myself.

“ Thresh!” Forge squealed, “ I found her! Right here by the bushes.”

Thresh made haste for the market square when he spotted her, motionless by the side, knocked out by a changeling’s magic.

“I don’t understand…” he mumbled, “how could…”

“She’s just stunned Thresh,” Forge motioned with his hoof, “but…”

“But nothing,” Thresh said with a tone of finality. He had enough theatrics for one week. He had seen enough changelings get hurt to last a lifetime. He wasn’t going to put this changeling into any more harm then she already was. And to do that, he had to let her go.

“We need to leave Forge…”

“What?” Forge tilted his head in confusion.

Thresh hated these parts in the story, but alas he had to. “We need to leave, I can’t be here anymore. She’s been harmed and tampered enough with. She doesn’t need to have me hurt her anymore then I did.”

“But Thresh, you didn’t give up on her before! And right now she can still be harmed if we leave!”

“Then what would you have me do?”

Forge stared at the body for a second before answering. “We take her back to her family. You and me.”

Thresh stood there for a second, and then nodded. Heaving the unconscious Double on his carapace, the two changelings moved towards the town center, where they were sure that the Queen was waiting for them.

Morpheus was now hiding behind the corner, his eyes concerned and his hooves trembling. He was not one to challenge the general of the swarm. For the longest time, he was just a simple drone, whose name was considered odd to say the least. In fact, he wondered who in their right mind named him Morpheus. Morph had been taken by that kiss-ass who always followed Carbon, and well all the other good names were given off. It was as if someone had been bored and wasn’t actually concentrating on a proper name to give-

“Where are you Drone #769?” Carbon proclaimed mockingly. It had been years since his number had ever been used, but it stung him like a wasp’s poison.

Must keep myself calm… Morpheus thought…can’t give him the slip.

“You know, you never were the general type…” Carbon simply stated, “you never bothered to participate in our games, and you always stuck with those two meddlesome bozos. What were their designations again? Alter and Shifter? If I recall correctly, Shifter was under my command no? Alter was nothing more then an Overseer, dreaming to be part of the Queen’s Centurions? One hundred changelings! You could barely handle a battalion. Too bad, for they consisted of some of my soldiers as well.”

He was only trying to infuriate the Commander’s emotions, focusing on his faults, which rather unfortunately, were many.

“Perhaps the only thing you were good at was being a bully Bloom. After all, who could except a female’s name?”

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!”

Morpheus lunged at the general, who was too shocked to send a counter-attack. Suddenly, both changelings were involved in hoof-on-hoof combat. Carbon was pinned against the wall, his hooves acting as barriers against the swift kicks Morpheus Boom delivered at every turn.

“TAKE IT BACK! TAKE IT BACK!” Morpheus moaned.

“I will never take it back,” Carbon sneered, “You were a failure. You always were Morpheus. Your name. Your life. Your position. Why, you even got caught at the beginning? How sad is that?”

Morpheus finally halted his unwavering barrage of kicks and punches to glare at Carbon. It was clear his eyes were a fiery red. The breath coming from his throat made the general choke.

“I never intended to get caught up in your stupid game with Double. You two were always so busy working at yourselves you forgot about the rest of us!”

Carbon’s eyes thinned to slits, his nostrils flaring. His voice was gruff, commanding, and severe. “You think it was just a game? You think you had it hard? I’ve seen more, did more, and been more then you Bloom! And I’ll be a lifeless husk before I let another changeling beat me to second-in-command!”

With that, Carbon cocked his hind legs back, and with the force of two trains, bucked Morpheus into the adjacent building. The sound of plates clattering and china crumbling made the general grin. No changeling could take that.

As he turned to leave, however, a green bolt of lighting struck him from the rear and sent the general into a carefully constructed set of building blocks. As the foal-like toys buried the general, his eyes could make out the fleeting figure of Morpheus Bloom dashing down the street.

Thresh laid the unconscious Double down on an undisturbed bench. Forge turned to glare at his partner. “Thresh? We need to get her to the Queen!”

“I think she’s close enough…” Thresh muttered, “One day you’ll understand why I can’t show my face to the Queen again.”

“But Thresh, I-“

“She’ll be found by her compatriots, but for you, I think it’s time I let go.”

Forge tilted his head in confusion. Thresh simply chuckled. He knew the colonies were all a lie. The Matriarch a fake figure-head. He had played their game and now he knew it was time to finally rest.

There was once a High-General…

No. Thresh repressed the statement forming in his cranium. That part of him was dead now. He had served his Queen to the fullest extent and it was time to give up the bounty-hunting business. It was time to let Forge, Blend, and Cloak have their freedom. They would be safe under Chrysalis’ care.

“Stay with her Forge,” Thresh motioned with his hoof, “stay with her and join in the swarm. Be apart of her family, for it is her family that we all belong to. One day, the others in the colony will see the true matriarch of the changeling empire. But until then, take care of those you-“

“Thresh,” Forge came up to rest his hoof on the changeling’s carapace, “I’ve gone with you to Tartarus and back. How can you…just…leave us?”

Thresh merely dipped his head and let a single tear escape his eye. “Forge, you’re a good changeling and I know the Queen will see it. But I’ve been there and I’ve seen what you haven’t. I know it’ll change, but it can go on without me. When I leave, just remember those that came before you. And those who have been long forgotten in then endless expanse of time.”

Forge nodded, understanding that his friend and mentor had to leave. As he watched Thresh depart into the haze of ruins, Forge turned to tend to Double’s wounds. Maybe Thresh will go on to a better place. Perhaps it’s what we are meant to do. Transition. Change. Adapt. Were we without homes and a place to have pride in? Were we always parasites? Or were we once something grand?

The sound of arguing caught Forge off guard. Moving towards the source of the noise, he could only imagine what lay ahead. Perhaps a new dawn was rising. And he would at least make sure the little changeling by his side would live to see it.

Carbon was scouring the surface, his eyes desperately trying to pinpoint Morpheus’ location. So far, he was nowhere in sight.

“Come out you coward!”

SNAP!

Carbon only had time to see the string at his hooves before a large bucket of honey landed on his head, the gooey substance blinding him as he tripped over the rubble.

“MORPHEUS BLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMM!!!”

Transparence was watching in awe at the discussion taking place before her. However, she suddenly noticed Morph, who was oddly standing still, watching the show play out.

“Hey Morph,” Transparence whispered, “where’s Carbon?”

“I don’t know,” Morph stammered, “I thought he was with the Queen, but he vanished with Double. I’m-“

“Then he’ll be fine,” Transparence reassured, “he’s a strong general and I know-“

“But he disobeyed a direct-“

“Leave the past to the past Morph. We’ve seen enough action to last us a lifetime.”

A disheveled and honey-glazed Carbon was smashing a cabinet apart. Morpheus had once again slipped from his grasp, his traps getting more elaborate, involving everything from tomatoes, to chairs, to wagons, to banana bombs!

“There is no use in hiding, you can’t keep setting your little traps Morpheus!”

“Oh but you’ll probably pass out before I’m done.” The voice came from everywhere, as if it was inside his brain. Carbon began to grind his fangs. The bucking moron was using the HiveMind.

Speak for yourself. I’ve withstood more then filly’s play.

It was silent for a minute or so before the reply came. And yet I see you weakening. Can you keep up with this game of cat and mouse? You seemed to fare better against Double…

AND I’LL MAKE SURE TO BEAT YOU DOWN TO THE GROUND SO HARD YOU’LL BE BEGGING ME FOR MERCY!

“Then why should we wait?” Carbon veered to face an equally disheveled Morpheus. Both changelings looked like prisoners from Tartarus. In fact, they may have even grown some new holes in their hooves.

“So you finally face me like a true warrior…” Carbon chided.

“It’s time I put you down Carbon!”

The general laughed, a cruel, cold, and sadistic laugh that made Morpheus cringe. “You imbecile! I am better then you in every way. You were always a failure. I never did understand why you acted like you acted. You never had empathy sickness, and yet you always found a way to be the most annoying drone in the hive.”

Morpheus bared his fangs, his eyes filled with malice and his hooves pawing the ground. “It’s time we play our game Carbon. It’s time for the match that never came to be. The one you never thought you’d face. I may not be a Double, but I’ll take you on as a Single.”

“Well then I hope you made your peace…” Carbon growled.

The two changelings circled each other, eyeing each other’s pace as they rotated around the market square. In the distance, a light was starting to form. And within that light, changelings were slowly lured into a peaceful slumber. The Elements of Harmony were beginning to undo the centuries-old curse of the changeling and empathy sickness. One by one, Transparence, Morph, Reflect, Mirror, Ditto, Image, Haze, Shift (actually Mix Match),Vapor, Zeth, and even Forge and Double, fell to its power.

“I will destroy you.” Carbon barked.

“I fart in your general direction!” Morpheus chided in an unknown accent.

“You’ll be a sign to all who dare oppose me!”

“I’ll slap the bucking acorns out of your head so you can hear your own words!”

Silence.

Nothing but the wind now blew through the trees. That and the loud hum coming from the Element Bearers.

They were silent, still, and quiet as they circled each other in an endless spiral. This was no game, no competition or match. It was a ritual put into place before the dawn of Equestria. An ancient tradition set among warriors, but never spoken or recorded among textbooks. A way of settling debts or of proclaiming freedom.

It was a fight that zoned both opponents out of their surroundings. The moment they knew that all that they had worked for, lived for, and fought for was accumulating to this very day. The day that would make them or grant them peace should they fall. It was the time to fight, and the time to prove their worth.

The rubble stood stoically, like an audience watching from the arena, the cracks and loose stones observing with emotionless glee. Morpheus could feel every heartbeat, and every point of pressure in his body.

He could only breath in anticipation.

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH”

WACK!

KA-BLAM!

WHOOOOSSH!

The two collided headlong like trains on the same track. The force sent both flying into the walls, who rebounded them back, demanding more blood to be split for their pleasure. Morpheus was the first to recover, grabbing Carbon by the neck in a chokehold.

Carbon managed to put pressure on Morpheus’ jugular, causing the changeling to gasp and release his grip as Carbon landed himself on his opponent’s stomach.

Morpheus gave a slight howl of pain before grabbing Carbon by his ears and throwing him into the wall, who finally gave way and collapsed over both of them.

For a few seconds it was calm, but Carbon finally got up and grabbed Morpheus by his frill, before smashing his hoof against Morpheus jewels.

The changeling groaned in pain as Carbon dragged his body across the square, his eyes wild with a psychotic demeanor. He was going to make Morpheus understand the true meaning of pain before he killed him.

Morpheus’ eyes flickered open, and before Carbon could react, he thrust his free leg into the general’s snout, causing Carbon to squeal in anger.

Released from the general’s grip, Morpheus once again tried to land a chokehold on Carbon. However, Carbon foresaw this and sidestepped Morpheus, leaving his hood to trip him.

Morpheus stumbled to his hooves, his stance now wobbly from the shear amount of blood oozing from a gash on his side. Carbon took the second for a breather, his eyes never ceasing in its stare.

“You’re wounded Morpheus,” Carbon managed to say, “you won’t last long I’m sure.”

“Tis but a flesh wound.” Morpheus stated matter-of-factly.

With a cry that would send any mountain to its foundations, the two changelings locked each other hoof-on-hoof, both wrestling for the dominant position that would guarantee victory. As they struggled, the light turned into a rainbow and suddenly Carbon’s eyes grew weary, his legs starting to shake.

With this, Morpheus was able to pin the general down, his hooves now relentlessly pummeling the changeling into submission.

“Don’t…(punch)…you…(punch)…ever…(punch)…mess…(punch)…with…(slap)…me!”

At last, the general dipped his head back, knocked out cold by the light. Morpheus only watched in confusion, his head slowly swiveling towards the large beam of energy now emanating from the town center. And with that, the ritual ended.

“What in the name of all that is love and pranks is that?”

The Commander lifted himself off Carbon’s motionless body to observe as the light spread over the mountains.

The Matriarch closed her eyes, awaiting the blast that was evident to come. However, she was only surrounded by silence. Daring a peak, she opened her eyes to see all her would-be assailants asleep, knocked out by whatever force had decided to intervene on her behalf.

“Perhaps I was not meant to die,” the Matriarch said aloud, “perhaps I can still be the dragon I once was…”

And with that, she too, fell in a deep slumber.

By this time, every changeling from Manehattan to Las Pegasus had been influenced by the spell. Every changeling, except Morpheus Bloom, who simply stared dumbfounded at the events surrounding him.

“MUST. NOT. SLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP.”

But alas, his efforts to stay awake were in vain and he too, eventually began to slur his speech. For a moment, the Commander simply waddled around the market, laughing and occasionally crashing into a variety of items.

However, with one last chuckle and absurd giggle, as well as a poor attempt of a song, the Commander known as Morpheus Bloom fell asleep.

At least his last thoughts were this.

I never did pay that nice librarian her check…

Truth Be Told, I Thought You Already Knew....

Morpheus had been in this situation before. He recalled it not a week ago, or more, when the light was fading into the tiny slits of his retina, when he realized that the Canterlot Campaign failed. And how much had happened since?

He had been captured and imprisoned with an annoying changeling, who had turned out to be the General of Intelligence. He had been chased and captured by bounty hunters. He had even been trying to avoid friendly fire during an invasion. He had been knocked out Chrysalis knows how many times. And finally, he had gotten his flank owned by two general, one of which being the true second-in-command.

And where does that then leave me? the Commander thought. As he got up, he could see he was no longer on the ground. In fact, he was staring at a compound sheet of resin that formed a sort of window to the outside world. The harsh, beating sun of the badlands penetrated enough to make the room feel comfortable despite the rush of cold coming from below.

How long ago was it, that he had tried to frame an aristocrat, be tested with spiders, have nearly lost a friend, proved he was no baker, and also find out his entire life was a lie. He should have known Chrysalis would never have trusted him with any position. He should have known that the Commander in Chief was just a ploy she used to deceive the generals into accepting the true leader of the armada. He knew he was just another drone, never destined for glory and never destined to be more then a nuisance.

What had become of his hive? His home? Why was he even resting in such a finely constructed chamber? Why had he not abused room service yet?

Deciding the current objective was to get a feel for himself, Morpheus stretched out his legs and bent down to release the tension in his carapace. He had just noticed the scars that had been sewn over by a healing chrysalis. As he turned around, he suddenly came face to face with no other then.

"High-General Double?" Morpheus was taken aback, his eyes darting from the general to the chamber. "This...isn't yours is it?"

Double merely giggled at the changeling's bewilderment. "No, no silly, I have my own chamber. This is just an observation chamber converted to your new living quarters."

Morpheus tilted his head, perplexed at the officer's comment. His room was a damp, 10 ft in length cave with a boulder adorning the side as the only piece of rudimentary furniture.

"You must be joking," Morpheus replied, "I live downstairs in the..."

But his words melted away when the High-General gripped him in a bear hug that was so tight that his bronchitis might have shrunk to half its size and whatever muscles that were left in his body were compressed against his black skeleton.

"Thank you," Double half whispered, half-sobbed, "I never knew you had it in you to care for another changeling, let alone a changeling who owned you in a duel."

Morpheus merely took in the praise with a smirk. "Hey, it was nothing. I'm sure if I would have kicked Carbon's flank a long time ago. Anyhow, where is that sorry sod?"

"Don't worry about him, he's still in the infirmary," Double replied, "and it'll take a whole another story to explain where he's going."

By this time, the proximity of the High-General was making Morpheus's blood pressure rise. "Ummmm Double?"

The High General, as if reading his mind, let go with about as much care as a walnut. "Well now that that is in order, have you ever played in a game of a chess?"

"Errrr...no?"

Double sighed, a playful sigh. "Too bad, I was really hoping you would. We would have so much fun."

He was sure by 'fun' she meant agonizing pain that would never cease till ever pawn at his disposal was destroyed.

Morpheus merely blinked at her before seeing another, taller figure rise from the shadows. It didn't take an idiot to know Queen Chrysalis when they saw her. Giving Double and affirmative nod, the High-General turned to walk off into the adjacent hallway, vanishing from sight.

As for Morpheus however, she motioned him to the window. Cautiously, the changeling followed in suite. As he got closer, he could see the Badlands stretched about him. Beautiful plateaus and gargantuan mesas dotted the red landscape, the sun hanging like a god in the sunlight.

"A sight worthy of a king wouldn't you say 769?"

Morpheus merely grumbled and muttered something about it all being sand. The Queen only seemed to look on, enchanted by the beauty her kingdom still held.

"You may still be the only changeling who doesn't know your full potential."

"Huh?" Morpheus replied.

"Flutterponies and changelings are one in the same.Didn't you know?"

Morpheus backed away, his eyes staring at the Queen like she was some sort of nut from the asylum. "What did the drones make for you Chrysalis. Cause I ain't going insane again..."

"I speak the truth," the Queen replied nonchalantly,"you are descendant of a great flutterpony. In fact, I can trace your lineage all the way back to him."

"Well, considering you aren't crazy, who was my ancestor?"

The Queen heaved a sigh before saying the name. "He was the Centurion of Serenity. He was...the Captain of the Flutterpony Guard."

"Well I don't know how you knew-"

"I was merely a princess back then."

"Bah humbug," Morpheus chided, "that would have to make you-"

"Very, very old." The Queen answered with a sly smile. She turned back to glare at the window. "And believe it or not, he too was prankster. Though he was not nearly as bad as you..."

"Maybe..." Morpheus murmured. He was still not entirely ready to take in this rather abrupt set of news, but at least he was giving it a try. Flutterponies and changelings, two distinct species. One that was extinct and one that exists to this day.

"You aren't taking it in nearly as well as I thought you would," the Queen said after a long period of silence.

Morpheus merely shrugged. "It takes a really loyal soldier to be in charge of protecting his homeland. I am merely not cut out for that kind of work. At least, now I know I was never met to-"

"You never did let me finish my statement back at Ponyville," the Queen interrupted, "Perhaps you are willing to give it a second try?"

Morpheus tried to think of another place he should be in, but his mind was blank and his legs wanted to stay put. So with a nod, he allowed his leader to continue.

"It is true that the position of Commander-In-Chief was a lie to put off all the generals."

Morpheus let out a slight hiss of annoyance. "Perhaps you are trying once again to show me how gullible I was back then-"

"And still are." the Queen finished. "But I never wanted to kill you."

"But Reflect-"

The Queen let out a tumultuous outburst of laughter that made Morpheus back into a corner. When she managed to control her vocal cords, she once again spoke in her normal, authoritative voice.

"Reflect is always and will always be a conspiracy theorist. It's why I chose him for the job. His hot temper may get in the way, but his love of digging into every secret he can find, while sometimes being rather annoying, does pay off. He's discovered a lot lately, and some of this may have even landed in the hooves of our dear friend Carbon."

"Well if you weren't going to kill me," the Commander began, "then what exactly did you have in mind?"

"To test you dear Morpheus Bloom!" the Queen cried out.

Morpheus was flabbergasted. Why would the Queen ever want to test him? What had he done that convinced her that he needed to be tested? If anything, he should have been demoted from legion drone to common worker where he could spend the rest of his days under Alter's command and digging tunnels...

"Morpheus?"

The changeling looked up at his queen, realizing that he must have said his thoughts out loud. "I don't understand why you would want to test me my Queen. I was never an officer, a soldier, or even a proper guard. I wasn't even fit for the duty of the common worker."

"And yet you remained true to your hive's morals?"

"What?"

The Queen facehoofed herself. "Must I explain everything to you?"

"Quite frankly yes."

"Well then," the Queen continued, "if you didn't notice, you were one of the few who had not developed empathy sickness nor was ever susceptible to it. In fact, you were, at your heart, unable to fathom such a disease."

"Wait a second," Morpheus said slowly," point me out if I'm wrong, but isn't empathy sickness-"

"An actual sign of compassion," the Queen interrupted, "yes and we all have it in us to be like it. Empathy sickness is not a disease at all. In fact, it was a blessing that the Elements of Harmony disposed on all of us except..."

"...me." Morpheus finished, "But why? What's so different about a changeling like me that-"

"You never needed a pony's love to feed," the Queen said, "and in a way, you had another strain of empathy sickness. Heck, I think you're more addicted to food then anything else."

"Well I alway trust my tastebuds..." Morpheus replied in a matter of fact tone.

"And getting back on track," the Queen said, "because of this, you neither strayed for the ponies nor deceived your Queen. In fact, you were about in the same position I was. You neither tried to befriend Equestria, but you certainly, despite your constant oaths to do so, never destroyed Equestria either. You were never power hungry despite your lineage. And you never seemed to fear capture."

"Because I was captured nearly, I don't know, EVERY SINGLE TIME!"

The Queen chuckled. "I've made mistakes with many changelings Morpheus. For example, the nursing drone thought you were supposed to be a female and was going to name you Bloom until I stopped her and told her to change your name. At the time, I was practicing ancient changeling, which in reality is improvised Flutterponian. So when I met to change your name, I said 'Morpheus Bloom'"

"That doesn't sound like-"

"I told you I was still practicing it. Anyway, the nursing drone realized her own mistake and just decided to be safe and name you whatever the heck I called out."

Morpheus stood there for a while, thinking to himself. Even his name was a mistake. Was he even met for this universe? Was there a place in this world for Morpheus Bloom or was this place, like the nursing drone had thought, made for just Bloom? Was Bloom a successful changeling? Was Bloom the one that would have stayed as a normal drone. Was Bloom the one who was supposed to come in? Perhaps.

Once again, the Queen read his mind-he would need to learn how to stop being so obvious when thinking-and assured him that she thought it was a fine name.

"Morpheus," she said, "I know I was never the best of Queens to you. Tartarus, I think you would have rebelled faster then Carbon had considering how bad I was. But you know what?"

"What?"

The Queen sighed, "Nevermind, perhaps another time. You need to get ready after all."

"Ready?" Morpheus cried out," ready for what?"

"You'll see," the Queen chuckled," but in the meantime, just take the moment to walk around the hive. Perhaps get a feel of your home no?"

"Maybe," Morpheus muttered, "but I still don't see..."

However the Queen had vanished and Morpheus was once again by himself. After much bickering, and stretching, he finally agreed with himself that a stroll would not be a deathtrap and that he was prepared even if it was.

Walking down the corridor, he noticed the hive was filled with changelings going to and fro, but it still felt less...crowded. It was later on that he learned that many, including Mirror Match, had returned back to Ponyville, to be friends with the ponies. If Morpheus had been given the choice, he might have gone with them. For what life was there left for him in the stinkin' hive?

As he trotted along the sidewalk, he gazed up at the large bulbous cocoons that beheld crystals, the emerald light shimmering down on a ravine converted into an underground city. The walls were still immaculately decorated, the vendors just as stubborn with haggling black market goods. When he reached the cocoon chambers, he saw that they were devoid of detainees, apparently all of them having been let go.

The plaza was busy at the time, but here and there, he spotted both warriors, merchants, workers, drones, guards, and even nursing drones mingling with one another, talking in hushed, but excited tones. Likely, they too were surprised at the shift in alliance between the changelings and their Queen.

Morpheus recalled not too long ago running amidst the flurry of crowds, pranking fellow changelings and being reprimanded by the guards for doing so. He recalled his foal days so vividly, with his Big Brother Retain. Retain had been an average changeling, and yet all the pranks Morpheus knew came from him. His Big Brother had been a Centurion, and then one day...he never came back. Morpheus had to be on his own for the longest time, constantly switching from sibling to sibling until he became an adult. By then, his playful nature had turned to sadistic humor to cover up a lonely husk of a drone, forlorned by the only thing precious to him.

The hatchling chambers were still bustling as nursing drones came up with erratic names for each new batch. He was sure they would be going into the thousands soon. One thousand changelings. A sight to behold at a time like this. 3 more generations and possibly, just possibly, things would begin to straighten out.

By now, the rumor of the Commander had vanished into thin air. The hive society had taken the word without question that they had been lied to for the greater good. Amazingly, the hive was relieved at this. Morpheus was sure that, like him, they too were weary of the constant squabbles and bickering for power.

As for the colonies, word was spreading around of relief services pouring from the main hive. Apparently, a rebellion was close to breaking out, until the leader of the batch, a synthetic changeling that had once been a dragon, vanished. By now, the Queen's return restored order among the outer rim and most of the colonies were slowly assimilating.

From what he had heard, Forge had been appointed general to his own colony near Appleloosa, where even now, he was trying to right his wrongs with the authorities. So far, the settlers and buffalo had been gracious for the combined help of the swarms. If Morpheus ever got the time, he may even go out to visit his former bounty hunter. He was, after all, a great singer.

As for the Elements of Harmony, It turned out that all except Rainbow Dash and Applejack, had been harboring a changeling. In fact, they were the two changelings he was noted on for pranking on: Mirror and Ditto. He was relieved to know that so far, no changeling had been hurt.

As he walked down another corridor, he crashed headfirst into a changeling. Scrambling to his hooves he hastily apologized.

"What the Tartarus man-"

But the voice abruptly stopped and Morpheus turned to look eye to eye with no other then his old pal, Reflect Fury. The changeling was in his general's outfit. At first, Morpheus wanted to punch the changeling, but he could already see the sorrow on Reflect's eyes.

"What happened to you?" Reflect asked.

"Long story," Morpheus replied curtly, "you?"

"Long story," the intelligence general said cynically, "perhaps we both will save our tales for later."

"Yeah," Morpheus chuckled, "perhaps we shall even make books out of them eh."

By now, the bond that was broken was restored and the two changelings were back at the prison, laughing and hollering at each others blunders in their attempt to bake.

"Yes," Morpheus said, "Tales of a Changeling Commander"

"More like Tales of a Queer," Reflect replied in an upbeat tone before growing silent, "or perhaps I was the queer. I can't believe I played off you."

"I played off you too," Morpheus answered rather reluctantly, " I think we are all rather back-stabbing team killing bucktards."

"Perhaps good sir," Reflect said with a smile, "but commander or not, I won't forget your leadership Morpheus."

"And I won't forget your fellowship," Morpheus answered. "Speaking of which, what happened to your friends?"

"Vapor and Zeth? Oh they went back to Manehattan to help fix up the damage they made. Boy, those two can sure put up a fight."

The two changelings hollered at the comment. It was just like old times, perhaps even more. Now they realized they both had faults and perhaps they could work it from there.

"Hey," Reflect began, "would you ever be willing to try some paintball with me and the guys?"

"Paintball?" Morpheus murmured, " never heard of the sport."

"Then boy will we have a surprise for you," Reflect laughed, "oh and by the way, did the Queen tell you about us all being flutterponies?"

Morpheus nodded, adding "although I still don't believe an ounce of it."

"Well believe it brother, cause it all makes sense. All secrets and lies with her."

"She also said you were a conspiracy theorist."

Reflect looked taken aback, his face giving off an I-Would-Never expression. "Conspiracy theorist? I only speak the truth when it comes to secrets. At least...most of the time."

Morpheus grinned at the intelligence officers timid nature. Perhaps he had misjudged his fine friend. However, Reflect managed to regain his composure and adressed the Commander once more. "Scat, I forgot to tell you that Transparence was looking for you. Had something to say but wouldn't tell me what."

"Well then I suppose a meeting should be assembled," Morpheus proclaimed.

"You're still a queer," Reflect said in a monotone tone, "but whatever. Anyhow, I'll catch you later at the ceremony."

"Ceremony..." Morpheus began but Reflect had already flown off.

Deciding he might as well see Transparence, the changeling began to trot down the corridor until he reached the chambers of the Elite Strike Team 23rd Legion. The cavern was large and spacious, with leather straps strewn over the rocks and jet-black suits hung loosely over the chairs.

The room was completely devoid of any life. As Morpheus made a couple more steps however, a sharp voice froze him in place. "Take one more step and I'll make sure you won't be walking for days."

Morpheus nearly wanted to faint, but managed to swivel his head to face the changeling who had materialized out of the shadows.

"He-hello there..." Morpheus choked.

"You gotta name?" the burly changeling asked. Morpheus merely gulped.

"Relax Shade," another voice popped out, "he's with me."

The changeling gave a shrug. " I was just playing with the guy." He playfully punched Morpheus, which nearly caused him to lose balance.

As Shade left the cavern, another changeling materialized out of the darkness. However, she was smaller, and looked more like an average drone than a spec-ops commando. "Hello Morpheus, remember me?"

"Transparence?" Morpheus replied out loud," I don't believe it! It is YOU! You backstabbing jerk! Well if I recalled correctly, we did meet before, although the last I heard of you was being promoted to the elite covert ops team."

"Yes, well I must say it's been a while, and the truth is I never did get to thank you fro saving my shell back in our first mission."

"Oh," Morpheus said slowly," you mean the first...first mission?"

"Yes," Transparence replied cooly, " the first mission you and me went on."

"Cause that wasn't my first, first mission," Morpheus answered rather awkwardly, "it was actually my second, second mission, which in reality should have been my second-in-a half mission although I could never tell the difference."

Transparence merely sighed. "Well first mission or not, you saved me and for that I owe you a favor, which I was going to repay back in your escape but..."

"The bounty hunters beat you to it." Morpheus finished with a sly grin. "And then you betrayed me with Double-"

"Hey," Transparence protested, " you were being a bit of a jerk."

"Well then that makes you my personal slave. Now go and fetch me a bottle of love."

Transparence merely laughed before swinging her leg and tripping Morpheus on the ground. As she trotted up to him, she merely stared the changeling down before replying in a gentle, cheerful voice. "I'm not one to generally be like this to you. That's Double's job. But I said I owed you a favor and I'll grant it. But just make sure it's a real favor and not one like a stupid command to fetch you something. Because if that's the case I will forget my oath and make you wish we never crossed paths. Clear?"

"Crys-tal!" Morpheus gasped. With a smile, Transparence left him, but not before adding, "I'll see you at the ceremony Morpheus."

Whatever pain remained finally subsided and Morpheus bellowed out "What kind of ceremony is going on at this time of day?"

%%%%%

By this time, Morpheus was sore, but not too sore to make a few more round around the hive. He forgot how amazing it was. How the craftsmanship was made with resin secreted by his brothers and sisters. The sweat and tears they poured into it literally created the edifices that had fascinated scientists for years.

Perhaps the Queen was right. Perhaps this truly was his home. In the coolness of a protective roof. Standing among others on duty, despite how boring that was. Even visiting his old pal Shift and talking about the day and how annoying Haze was.

Would his life ever be the same after this? Maybe there was still time left to go back. He was no longer Commander in Chief, so perhaps he still had a place among the swarm. He decided it wouldn't hurt to at least give it a try.

But before he could even get started, a guard tapped him on the shoulder. "Ummmm, Drone 769?"

"Yes?" Morpheus answered.

"The hive is waiting for you in the Queen's Hall..."

"Why would they...oh shoot the ceremony!"

%%%%

The Hive was filled to the brim with changelings. Many had never even seen the Queen's Hall before, as it was reserved for the elite and higher castes of the society. However, many could understand why. The entire structure was decorated with bulbous cocoons arranged in delicate chandeliers, the crystals inside them changing light every few seconds to cast the room from emerald green, to sapphire blue, to diamond white.

Large, decorated archways supported the cavern from collapsing, and the floor was so polished that you could actually make out your own reflection. In the center of the hall laid a large, throne decorated to look like a blooming rose, its thorns protruding and spiraling into vines that spread out like an interconnected web. On it, sat the Queen herself, flanked by Double on the right.

"Step forward, Drone 769." The Queen proclaimed.

Cautiously, Morpheus did as she said, walking to the point where he was only a few feet from her imposing eyes. The crowd had by now become silent, all except for the occasional cough or buzz of wings. Even the cavern managed to stop groaning.

"Double, can you read the verdict?"

The High-General eagerly got a scroll out and began reading aloud. "Her royal highness subjects Drone #769 to immediate torture and humiliation for challenging the Queen. Thou shall have thy entrails hung from his corpse and paraded around the city until-"

The crowd gasped and Morpheus took a step back, his eyes widening in utter shock. "That's dragonscat that is," Morpheus proclaimed, "I thought this was a ceremony!"

There was murmurs of agreement until the Queen hushed them with an impulse from her horn. Double continued, as if uninterrupted.

"But then we found that to be inappropriate for a changeling of your stature, Morpheus Bloom."

Morpheus tilted his head in confusion. Double merely smiled.

"As you may or may not know, and you probably don't know, the Praetorian Guard was set up long ago among the Flutterponies to protect the Queen from danger. But as time would see it, the long tradition of guards have vanished along with the Flutterponies. Which is why our Royal Highness has decided to bring it back once more."

There was a chorus of cheers, although the cheers were probably of relief at this news. The Hive Mine was filled with an array of messages that asked what was going on and when would it happen.

"As I was saying, the Queen has figured it was time to bring back this tradition. Now that we are at peace with Equestria, a defensive force must be made to answer Equestria's call for aid should anything happen. As such, we have invited any who wish to join this new division to volunteer as soon as possible. Like really soon, or else this whole ceremony is rather pointless."

"And I'm here because..." Morpheus began.

"Didn't you already know?" The Queen asked puzzled. "I thought someone was going to tell you."

"Well," Morpheus replied between gritted teeth, "other then the fact that not a few seconds ago I was scared shitless at getting my entrails hung above the city, no one has told me a Celestia-Bucking thing other then some ceremony!"

"Truth be told, I thought you already knew..."

"Well I didn't-"

"Well, you'll just have to wait and see Commander..."

"I'm not the Commander!" Morpheus shouted back.

"Oh," Double interjected, "I haven't gotten to that part. Your're spoiling your own surprise Morphy!"

"What?" Morpheus began before Double interrupted him.

"As such, this new defense force will require someone to command them and bring order or chaos, whatever comes first. And so, we, the Hive Society, have agreed in unison, that Morpheus Bloom, Drone #769, should be bestowed with the honorary title of Commander of the Guard. He will have full control over this force and will lead his troops along with the Changeling Armada under my command."

There was another equally loud gasp from the audience before the Queen sentenced everyone to silence. "Let our High-General continue please."

"Thank you, your Highness!" Double replied cheerfully, as if oblivious to the gravity of what she was doing. "Now, however, it is up to Morpheus Bloom should he take this responsibility."

Morpheus was dumbstruck. He, in charge of an entire battalion! He would lead the swarms and actually be in charge of something for once. But then again, had he not wanted to start over? Had he not wanted to perhaps resume his life in Ponyville? He had had a purpose back there, with the guards. Maybe, just maybe...

"Has thou come with a decision?" The Queen proclaimed, her voice hinting with impatience.

"Yes," Morpheus said solemnly. He would do the right thing, the thing he should have done a long time ago.

"Then, what is your decision? It is alright if you wish to go back and live with the others. Perhaps you will find-"

"Does grass grow?"

The Queen tilted her head in confusion. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"Does grass grow?"

"Yes." the Queen said slowly.

Morpheus took a deep breath before saying what he needed to say. "All of my life, I had wondered what life outside the swarm was like. I had wondered what it would be like to adventure. I now see the beauty of my home, but I also cannot deny the fact that out there, there is a chance for all of us to become our own."

By now the audience was silent, hanging on to every word.

"Therefore, I know what I must do."

The Queen smiled, masking the sadness. She would miss that changeling. "Very well then, Morpheus, you may now go back to your-"

"Woah there missy," Morpheus blurted, "why the buck would I throw away the opportunity to become a real, real COM-MAN-DER?"

"So then does that mean you are accepting the position?"

There was a momentary pause before Morpheus replied. "OF COURSE I'M TAKING THE POSITION! SOMEONE GET ME A QUILL SO I CAN SIGN THIS HUNK OF DIAMOND!"

The crowd was taken aback and Morpheus shuddered a little. Perhaps I was too enthusiastic So in a much softer voice, he said, "Ummmm...where do I sign to complete my registration ma'am?"

...And That's All Folks!

The new edifices glistened like a thousand diamonds in the sunlight. Two large, rectangular towers stood as sentinels to the cave entrance below. A large, ebony gate with swirling roses intimidated any would-be raiders. The walls itself were twenty blocks thick if it was made of bricks. But changelings almost nearly made everything different. Blending the rock together in a chemical mixture that still puzzles architects today, the metal was put through a cement-like process to form a round, natural semi-circle wall, where a simple stone fence protected those who guarded above.

Every day, three changelings patrolled the gate, clad in large helmets that protected their backs from harm. Each was armed with a sharpened ebony spear dipped in paralysis and their own horn. The new class of warrior, known as sentries, were organized similarly with that of the Changeling Armada. However, they were still small in stature and not nearly a capable military power. Yet, the hive was secured down to its core with traps and devices set up by the Praetorian Guard should someone get by the gate. Legions led by Praetorian Centurions made hexagon patterns around hive complexes, practicing drills monthly for different situations.

Everyday, Two Centurions flanked the Queen's throne, armed with a spear and rigged ebony shield. Many of the guards stationed around the hive had either joined the new guard or had been reassigned to outposts in the colonies to assist the changelings living there. The Praetorian Guard was getting there, and soon the Queen predicted that in several generations the number of volunteers could rise to 100. But until that day, the Hive would rely its safety and security to 30 rag-tag, possibly ill-suited, changelings and their disillusioned commander.

%%%%

And so it was on one of these particular nights that a certain changeling was wandering her way towards the cave entrance, humming a tune she had grown accustomed to singing. So far, Mirror Match had had a wonderful time with her fellow friends Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie. Pinkie Pie had decided to give away her favorite party cannon to Mirror, who took it upon herself to get it fixed by one of the hives shifty mechanical merchants.

As she approached the gargantuan ebony gate however, a thunderous voice bellowed, "WHO GOES THERE!?"

Mirror forze in her tracks. She looked up at the gate, but could only see the moonlight being reflected off a helmet of some sort. She had heard of the Hive placing up new defenses in light of the peace, but she was only expecting a guard at the door. Surely this was overcompensating for something.

"Uh...hello there?" Mirror called. "It's me Mirror Match?"

"MIRROR MATCH!" the voice boomed, "WHAT'S THE PASSWORD?"

"Password?" Mirror Match asked, tilting her head, "nobody told me of a pass-"

"THEN YOU CAN-NOT ENTER!"

"But that's not fair!"

"Well perhaps I can let you off if you answer these three questions."

Mirror Match thought for a second. Perhaps she could answer the questions correctly, or end up in the dungeons. Either way, she really had nothing to lose.

"Okay."

"First, what is your name?"

Well that's a stupid question. Perhaps I shall answer them all! "My name is Mirror Match."

"What is your quest?"

"To get inside these gates!" Mirror's nostrils where now venting out steam.

"What...is the national monument in Las Pegasus?"

Oh that's it! Mirror suddenly whirled out the party cannon, aimed the sights down near the helmet, and fired.

BOOM!

"AHHHHHHHH!!! NOT AGAIN!"

The guard fell off the wall and onto the ground, his body covered with cake mix as he slowly rose to his feet. Mirror could now see he was about her height, although his armor probably made him look bigger. His blue eyes were blazing at the changeling now, wings buzzing in irritation.

"It's just a question! And how did you come across that weapon?"

"It was given to me," Mirror stated in a matter of fact voice.

"Because I was shot by one of those things before in the invasion..."

The memory flashed in Mirror's mind. This must have been the changeling she fired upon under the table on accident. She hadn't given the incident much thought, but now that said changeling was in front of her, being her bridge from the desert to the shelter of the hive, she quickly kicked the cannon behind her.

"I had no idea that something like that happened to you!"

The changeling wiped some of the cake off his face, revealing two saber-like fangs. His helmet had two, sort of wing-like fans that extended from the back of the helmet in an upwards ascension. The front of the ebony helmet led into a curve that ended in a tip 1 inch away from his snout. Judging from the royal symbol adorning his chest plate, she could already tell he was the Commander of the Guard.

"Well, I'm friends with some of the Elements of Harmony and she gave me this. I didn't know how to handle it so..."

The changeling cocked what would have been his eyebrow, his eyes squinting at the changeling in suspicion. "And you just happened to be sitting on the trigger when it went off?"

"Yes."

"Because," the guard sneered, "the pony, or should I say changeling, who fired a cannon at me disguised as Daring Do..."

Mirror could feel her body perspire in front of the guard, whose tone only grew with fury.

"-and I swore to myself that if I ever found that changeling I would-"

"Okay," Mirror raised her hooves in defeat, "You caught me! I fired the cannon in your face, but in reality it was on accident. Besides, it was your fault for being an eavesdropper."

Now the commander's eyes widened. "I was not eavesdropping! I was surviving!"

Mirror simply glared at the changeling for a long time before he mumbled. "You can go on in."

With an appreciative smile, Mirror skipped in with her cannon. The Commander's eyes followed the cannon with pure malice. Why if I ever get the chance I'll destroy that cannon and-

BOOM!

The Commander once again found himself drenched in cake mix. Swiveling his head to stare at Mirror, the changeling apologetically lifted her hooves, saying, "Must have gone off again! Sorry."

Morpheus simply facehoofed himself before climbing the stairwell back to the top of the wall. As he approached the guard's entrance, a sentry hastily bashed his way out, the black wooden door slamming right into the Commander's face.

"Oh sorry," the changeling apologized, before doubling back to stare at his supreme officer, "is that cake on your face?"

Morpheus merely mumbled something about no respect or humor in this job before stepping inside. As for the sentry however, he merrily continued on his way to his post, where he would resume his shift till someone else took over.

%%%%

The Guard's Chambers was a hollowed out cavern filled with racks for the guard's helmets and spears. The room was more like a hallway than anything else. Adjacent to the corridor, there was another, slightly smaller cavern. Inside, the room was adorned with a withered down desk in the center, a mahogany shelf on the right, and a rusty old filing cabinet brimming with hoof-written papers. On the shelf, laid a large collection of Daring Do books, down to the latest installment of the series. The desk itself was wobbly on its uneven peg legs, but it was stable enough to hold a wax candle, ink, cider, and a whoopee cushion. The only other pieces of furniture adorning the room was a hammock on the left and a swivel chair for his desk. It was an office in-development, but it was where Morpheus called home.

Adorned on the wall was a recent picture taken by a photographer visiting the Badlands. In the picture, the 30 sentries were arranged in rows, with Morpheus in the center. Someone had snuck into his office, however, and had left a crudely drawn moustache that Morpheus actually liked for once. To him, it made him seem professional. And it hid that stupid grin that he had shown when a sentry shoved him off balance.

As the Commander rested his body against the swivel chair, he spun around a few times lackadaisically, his eyes scanning the room. It had been a rather unproductive day today. Most of the daily routines included tracking down sentries who missed their schedules, which few, if ever, did. After that it was lounging in his office, going out to see the hive, deal with a few black market merchants, and then pull a few pranks here and there.

As he lounged in his office, he heard the sound of hoofsteps and immediately straightened his shoulders. "Come on in."

Chrysalis stepped in, her eyes observing with a disapproving eye. "I see you've gotten to redecorating your quarters Commander."

"Well," Morpheus shrugged, "I haven't finished just yet. I need to buy a few supplies to reinforce the defenses but going back on subject, what's up?"

"It is come to my attention that you could indeed use a vacation," the Queen motioned, "and since you seem to have nothing better to do then prank on my fellow changelings, perhaps you'd be gracious to your Queen if she allowed, I don't know, the weekend off?"

"I suppose I could use the time to buy some of those defenses," Morpheus murmured, "sure I'll take the vacation. Ummmmm, what's my budget though?"

"Considering the amount of sentries at your disposal, I'd say thirty bits should suffice."

"THRITY BITS?" Morpheus shrieked, "YOU CAN'T BUY AN APPLE FOR THIRTY STINKIN-"

But his argument abruptly faded at the glare Chrysalis gave him. "You'll have a great time Commander, I'll make sure to alert the Elements of Harmony of your arrival."

"There's no need for that," Morpheus hastily added, "I think I've made enough enemies to last a lifetime."

"If you insist," the Queen smiled, "but enjoy yourself none the less. After all, what's the worse you can do?"

"Don't jinx me now..." Morpheus warned.

"I would never." the Queen said innocently before leaving the Commander alone once more in his ramshackle office.

%%%%

Ponyville was just as festive as ever, considering the damage done in the invasion. Morpheus decided to make his bits count and bought a couple of sweets from the bakery, munching on them thoughtfully as he observed the warm wooden cottages and pristine shops filled with tin toys, carpentry tools, quilts, and sofas and quills. Wow, the baker sure has improved upon her craft, these choco-watermelon cupcakes are going to be a hit! I might just order some for the sentries back home. He pondered on this briefly before deciding they could get their own buckin cupcakes and that he would order a dozen just for himself.

Perhaps I could use one of those the changeling thought as he passed a shop displaying various fireworks. Great for warning the Queen, or even for a nice old prank that Retain once told me about-

OOF!

The changeling crashed into a buff royal guard, who gave the changeling a menacing stare. "Watch it buddy, or else I'll make an example out of you."

"You watch yourself," Morpheus hissed, before resuming his steady trot around the plaza. However, not before he overheard the guard mumbling "...filthy changeling." Every now and then, a pony would stare at him in disgust, still not accustomed to seeing a changeling. That and the fact he had chosen to wear his crested armor. The Praetorian Commander's armor was made of polished ebony, rimmed with red rubies found within the cave's mines. The blacksmith had crafted a pair of changeling wings that jutted off the back of the helm and curved at an angle inward. The chest plate was adorned with a circular crest. The crest itself was a shield with two changeling wings and a chrysalis in the center. The symbol of the Praetorian Guard.

As the changeling trotted along he came across a familiar unicorn, or should he say High-General. The changeling was in her unicorn disguise form, looking at the Commander in slight amusement. "Well, Commander, I didn't expect the guard to be off and about."

"Vacation." Morpheus blurted, bits of food escaping his mouth.

Double merely stared unconvinced. "Well for now I'll take your story, but I'm afraid conversations will have to wait. I'm on a play date with my foalhood friend. We're going to have so much fun!"

The last tone was too cheerful for Morpheus to take, but he merely hummed an agreement and waved goodbye with his hoof, thankful for the fact that the squishy dough was the barrier between a thousand insults and likely a thousand ways to be brutally murdered in broad daylight.

As he continued to walk down the street, he suddenly saw Haze sitting at a bench, sharing a smoothie with a purple earth pony. Haze had never been one to accept anything, as his paranoia prevented it. But the earth pony was stubborn and he knew Haze wouldn't last long.

Give in to it. Morpheus projected through the hive chat.

As he continued his stroll he managed to dodge a white unicorn carrying a load of materials on her back. However, that was little compared to her fellow changeling Print, who seemed to be wheezing under the weight.

"A thousand pardons mister..." Rarity began before abruptly halting.

"Hmmm?" Morpheus hummed.

"Well, aren't you that dashing rascal we caught just after the Canterlot Invasion? I believed you called yourself the Commander or something."

"Commander of the Guard," Morpheus hissed irritably, "and if I recall you're the unicorn that owes me a smoothie and a hot chocolate."

"Well you never did pay the tip."

"I was going to!" Morpheus proclaimed, "honest to the Queen I was. Or well, with rudimentary currency. But still-"

"Tsk tsk," Rarity interrupted, "not acceptable, although I must say your armor is just fabulous! Why the rubies do show your hot-tempered attitude but it needs something..."

"Well I don't have time to-"

But the unicorn shoved her hoof before he could utter another word. Meanwhile, Print was giving off warning stares that said do not engage.

"Ah-ha," Rarity proclaimed, "I have just the thing." Rummaging through her saddle bag, she pulled out a glowing crimson cape, where navy-blue felt ran its edges. A perfect match to Morpheus' armor. As she tied it over his chest, she made idle comments of how he wouldn't stand still and how this and that wouldn't work. But in the end, she seemed satisfied enough to give it an affirming stare.

"Well I suppose that fixes my IOU with you-"

"Commander Morpheus Bloom." Morpheus replied bitterly. Although his eyes kept darting to the side to examine the splendid cape.

"Yes well, just don't expect anymore favors darling. Ta-ta."

And with that, the caravan commenced on its pilgrimage to the boutique. As the Commander of the Guard-that's a mouthful- moved on longingly around the streets, he came upon a familiar sight. The very place that had been his sanctuary in Ponyville for so long. Now, however, it had been renovated slightly and the hole had been filled with new bricks.

Was it worth a peak? Morpheus thought

Definitely He finally agreed as he entered in through the ruby red doors.

"Sorry, no prisoner-"

But the guard stopped in mid-sentence. His stare was a mixture of anger and hate. Despite the peace now held between changelings and ponies, he had still not forgiven the Commander for his escape and attack on him.

"It takes a lot of nerve for you to show your face around here."

"Well last I heard, I believe I owe a couple of guards a story, but-" As Morpheus headed for the doorway, a large hoof stopped him and propelled him to the stool nearby Mags, who was just as animate as the book she was reading. Clyde, the prison warden, stood with a stern glare at the changeling.

"Well," he said cynically, "let's hear this."

And so Morpheus went on to explain the latter half of his adventures after escaping two bounties and being caught up in a ridiculous invasion. He even told them about the lie he had been believing in for the last week or so and how he had lost much of his pride back there. At last, he got to the part where he had fought Carbon, and then subsequently being promoted to his new position of Commander of the Guard.

"That title sounds silly," Clyde finally said after a momentary silence, "but still, it looks like you went through Tartarus and back son."

"I could say the same for yourself," Morpheus replied. Clyde only replied with an affirmative humph.

"Though I'm sure your name isn't Commander," the other guard interjected, "so what is your real name?"

"Morpheus, and you?"

"Star Wing," the pegasus handed his hoof to properly shake the Commander's hoof. "And it seems that the Queen is still a little messed up in the membrane considering how she elected you to be in charge of the defenses of all things..."

The Commander puffed out his chest. "I am more then well-equipped for the job! Why, just ask my fellow subordinates!"

"I think all of us can agree we won't be doing that." Clyde let out a chuckle before resuming his stare at the Commander. "Well I suppose that if your story is correct, then we don't have much of a problem, though-"

"When will you return?" Star Wing asked hopefully. Despite his initial enmity towards the changeling, he couldn't help but feel a tinge of the old friendship they may have had before the invasion. Like Clyde, both had been deceived by their leaders, forced into jobs they didn't like, and yet, they took them without question. Was it perhaps because they recognized the need to do one's duty? Was it perhaps an act of loyalty, of trust, of perhaps even hope that while they may not be serving in the way they had previously imagined, they still believed that any duty was something worth doing if it helped their species respectively?

"Well," Morpheus hinted, "I'm off for the weekend so..."

"Perhaps you'd like to go on patrol with us?" Clyde asked warmly, something that surprised every pony in the room, including Mags, who had been sleeping through this entire ordeal.

"Perhaps I could fancy a good patrol," Morpheus agreed enthusiastically, "given the little amount in my wallet, and the delectable array of goodies surrounding this fair town-"

"We'll pick some stuff up at Pinkie's bakery later," Clyde smiled, "but in the meantime, let's just go out for a stroll. I heard the weather finally got warmer and that there are some pony racists out there that could use a hoof or two to settle down."

"Why I'll give them both my hind legs!" Morpheus bellowed, causing both guards to laugh.

"Yeah, well keep the violence down okay?" Star Wing said.

"No promises." Morpheus let out a grin before setting off to the door with the two guards in tow. As Mags watched on with the corner of her eye, her lips formed a small smile. It was a smile that she rarely gave, and one that she rarely meant. It was a smile she gave when she was married. It was a smile she had given to her foal twins when she gave birth. And now it was a smile of the times ahead. Though they would still be tough, they were better then before. Perhaps, there was still hope. After all, changeling or not, there would always be a need for guards. Watchful sentinels who guarded the land like stars in the night.

And that's all that folks need. Because with or without their knowing, they bring about the best and worst in all of us.

And so on that night, the three guards partied like there was no tomorrow, and overdosed on donuts and coco-watermelon cupcakes. It was a night they would never forget, but forgot all together due to the overdose. However, who could blame them? By the time the week started again, they would all be back on duty.

The End.

That one Commander...

The sunlight poured into his eyes, flooding him with a painful, but somewhat soft glow.

"What the Chrysalis happened last night?" a dark, equine-like animal groaned as he got up on his sickly, hole-covered legs. His curvy horn jutted out of a sapphire blue helmet that enhanced his sky-blue eyes. A matching chest-plate adorned his body.

But so was such armor bestowed on the Changeling Commander. For it was his duty to serve the Queen. At least, that's what the job description said. In reality, he hated the bossy Queen.

Do this Commander.

Stop messing up Commander.

Why didn't I give my job to the last changeling Commander?

It was simply because of his lack of skill when it came to shape-shifting. He could always do it, and he did it just like any other, but the problem was he couldn't sell it. He would mess up, be discovered, and had to fight his way out of sticky situations. Since the Commander usually was appointed in times of conflict, the day of the invasion turned out to be his big promotion.

"I am raising you to the Commander caste. You shall command the hordes according to my lead. Any faltering or neglect of loyalty and you shall find yourself suffering a fate worse then death."

However, he never heard those last words as he jumped up and down prancing in joy.

Now that he came to think of it, he pondered if it was simply the Queen's way of getting one rotten egg out of the clutch. It had been in the conquest of Equestria. He was leading a battalion to guard what the Queen called the Elements of Harmony.

"No offense your Highness, but don't you think this is a bit stupid?" He had asked when she was going over the plan in the Hive-Mind Chat.

"Maybe Commander, you would like to be the one acting as a giddy bride in the heart of enemy territory. The plan is simple. Assemble a lance, I don't care how big, and make sure no pony, griffin, or zebra gets in."

She had made the idea seemed so obviously clear and simple, that afterwards he felt childish for questioning. In fact, he always felt childish for questioning the Queen.

Maybe the plan will be successful. He had thought earlier.

Oh how wrong he was. He had indeed set up an impressive blockade-well at least impressive to him-to guard the Elements when six multi-colored ponies dashed up the steps. At first, he had had it in the horn. Assuming various forms of the six ponies, they fought the adversaries, only to be humiliated as they were tossed into the air like rag-dolls.

He himself remembered running to the battle, after losing his disguise, and being shot in the face by the pink one who had somehow procured a cannon that fired confetti projectiles that sent him flying strait into a wall.

I mean, who does that?

Then, shortly afterwards, there was a large bang as a purple bubble of energy expanded from the castle to fling him and whatever was left of his unit, high into the Equestrian sky.

...which brings us back to where we started.

The Commander looked at his current situation. He had landed softly on a tree, so by a miracle nothing was broken. His stomach growled at the thought of love. He would need to find a settlement...or maybe live his life as a chipmunk baby to be nurtured by its mother, though he would save that for last resort. What would the Swarm do?

THE SWARM!

His mind was blank of the chatter that had been imbedded in his noggin since the dawn of his hatching. Why...this could only mean one of two possible things: either the whole Swarm is dead, which he would highly doubt, or the Queen is weakened.

"Well look at that Queen," he shouted in his adopted Trottingham accent," looks like I have the advantage in this current situation. Woo-HOOOOO!"

And the Commander began doing an odd dance of sorts, one that had been creatively concocted in his own head. After around two minutes of dancing, and screaming, he stopped to stare at what appeared to be a blinking light ahead.

"Perhaps I shall find sustenance. And afterwards...the dancing shall commence again!"

As he trotted towards the now-forming town in the distance, he began to think of his own battalion. The Swarm wasn't who he hated. In fact, he actually favored some of them. Maybe if he found sustenance, he would be able to search for them. Likely, some of them were as fortunate as he was, and had found niches to hide themselves in.

The town ahead seemed to emanate love from it. There were lovely colleges, a tree-house library, and a gingerbread bakery. The Commander sniffed the aroma with a soft hum musing through its lips.

"Well here I go!" And with those words of confidence, he dashed down the road.

Two minutes in, however, his hooves came to a halt.

"Shoot, I can't go like this..."

He examined his body. With buggy, withered wings and piercing blue eyes, his arrival would only spell doom for him. He closed his eyes and began to concentrate. Memories of the various equines he met in the invasion flashed back before him like wisps of wind.

A green mare.

A brown stallion.

A white unicorn with a monocle over his eye.

Fancy the Commander thought eagerly. With a flash of green light, he felt his remaining energy course through him.

Rarity was dragging her saddle bag, a rainbow colored assortment of fabrics sticking out like party flyers. After the royal wedding, the business had been receiving countless orders for dresses. Now, with her hooves, tied, Rarity didn't have any time to catch up with current events.

As she rushed to her boutique, she crashed head first into somepony.

"Oh excuse me," she began as she looked up and stared blankly at a white unicorn with a blue mane and a monocle over his eye.

"Why...FancyPants, I thought you were still in Canterlot. With all the chaos that happened there, shouldn't you..."

But the look on his face was quizzical.

"Who are you?"

"Why...my name is Rarity. Surely you remember me from Twilight's party that was not over a month ago?"

"Doesn't ring a bell, say...you look like a nice mare. Can you show me where I can get a smoothie, cake, or something to eat here?"

Rarity felt her heart split in two. How dare Fancypants forget about her and demand her to show him the nearest bakery. Sure she had been untruthful to him at the beginning of their unprecedented meeting, but he had forgiven her had he not? Or was this really him forgetting about a unicorn he had seemed to be so mesmerized with. Her thoughts painted pictures of him accompanied by a different unicorn, who had wonderful talents as great as hers. Rarity shook her head and exhaled. She needed to get to work, and this unicorn would have to wait to get his taste on the food here. Besides, it was much more lower-caste then the ordurves they served at Canterlot.

She was about to stride off when she suddenly her blood went cold at the realization that Fancypants never talked like that...ever. Why the mere fact of him going for such low-quality food and not addressing her properly, was completely out of question.

"Let me show you" she said in as polite a voice as she could manage. "Fancypants" merely gave a shrug as he followed casually behind. They passed windows whose lights were being shut off and stores whose signs were being flipped to close. There were the occasional couple out for a nighttime stroll. Soon enough, the silhouette of an imposing tree rose over the path.

"What kind of place is this?" the Commander asked, puzzled.

"Oh," Rarity mused, "its just one of those places where us ponies come to hang out."

As the door opened, the Commander suddenly stopped dead in his tracks. The lavender unicorn standing before him was the leader of that small squad of flank-kicking ponies!

"Why Twilight," Rarity said sweetly, " would you mind if me and our "guest" stayed here to "hang out"?"

"Why Rarity," Twiligjht said jubilantly, "this is Fancypants. Do you remember me Fancypants, hows it going?"

The Commander had to think quickly, less he should be discovered, " errrrr...Hello?"

Twilight glanced back at Rarity, then at the Commander. Her eyes squinted in suspicion and after a second glance at the white unicorn she grinned.

"Well come inside now, its getting late." And with that the trio sat down in the center of a converted library, hot chocolate bubbling over their cups.

"So Rarity, where did you find this good friend of yours?"

"He actually bumped into me on my way to boutique. Had quite a mess back there, Fancypants."

But the stallion paid no heed to this comment, as he was gulping down the warm beverage like it was mana from above. The fact that no Canterlot unicorn would ever drink this absurdly made both unicorns nod their head in agreement.

The Commander was amazed at how food so simple could make one feel so filled. Soon enough, the hunger for love began to dissolve like it was being dosed in a lukewarm waterfall. Why, it was as if the chocolate was love itself.

"I gotta say..." the Commander began before two bolts of light, a blue and magenta one, collided with him directly in the chest as he went flying towards a towering stack of books.

His head dizzy, the Commander looked to see his hole-filled hooves over a copy of a History of Equestra II.

And four eyes shooting him cold stares.

"Ummmm...check please?"

Double-Crossing Pt 1

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"

Morpheus turned and dashed down the road as fireballs began to rain down overhead. Carbon had finally managed to get to his hooves, heading down towards a florist's shop two blocks ahead. Commander Morpheus followed after him, his eyes constantly checking the sky for any incoming balls of flame.

BAM!

The high pitched ring that came before the explosion caught Morpheus off guard, causing him to pause for merely a second. But it was a second too late, as the fireball crashed into the road, sending the Commander back towards Double, who was merely giggling at his attempts to live.

"Oh Commander," she said, "are you really so naive as to think you could outsmart my power? I think that's enough for today no?"

Morpheus had managed to land himself safely in a clump of trees, his eyes still rolling around in his head as he tried to adjust to his current position. "What in the name of-"

"And this is for Smartypants," Double interrupted, a ball of green magic erupting from her horn.

Before the Commander could react, he was blasted upwards twenty feet in the air. He landed back onto the rubble, his shell taking in the most of the damage. Groaning to get himself up, Morpheus began to crawl before a hoof kicked him right in the snout.

“Owww,” The Commander yelped before falling on his carapace, his eyes still trying to focus in on objects.

“Such a shame that you had so much potential but still threw it all away,” the changeling said sadistically, her eyes fixed on him as he strained to get up on his hooves. “You know, you weren’t like us Commander Morpheus.”

“Wha-what do you mean?” The Commander asked, perplexed.

Double just laughed and stared back at him. “You were born without empathy sickness. I have it. I’m pretty sure Mirror too. Possibly Ditto. We’re all sick with it. But you. You were the only one who never got it Commander.”

“So?”

“Well what’s your secret?”

“I don’t have one,” The Commander growled before firing a beam of magical fire at Double. Caught off guard, the changeling was thrown into a pile of trashcans, her armor causing a crater in the nearby wall.

“My armor!” The High-General cried as she noticed the minuscule dent that had recently surfaced on her helmet. Her eyes then turned to the Commander, and he swore that they had some magical energy behind them because he instantly lost all confidence.

“IT. IS. On!” A wave of fire erupted, engulfing everything and everyone who got in its way. Commander Morpheus jumped to the edge of a nearby stand to avoid the flames as they reduced the wood to ashes. Peeking his head out for a look, he could see that Double was casually trotting towards him.

“I do hope you stop playing this game Morpheus,” she said cheerily, “because I would love to battle soon. And also, you must tell me why you didn’t try to stop Carbon. Did he not undermine you as well?”

“Leave that jerk out of this!” Morpheus yelled, “this is between you and me Double. And it doesn’t take a genius to know that you-“

“-knew you were alive?” Double finished, “Contrary to my honed skills Commander, your arrival was a bit of a surprise to me. I had figured you had died with honor in Canterlot. But apparently, you’ve come back to destroy the little reputation you’ve constructed for yourself.”

“You’re one to talk about reputation,” the Commander yelled back, “You and that Mirror are the real traitors. You work for the enemy. You have let the sickness blind your eyes to the true threat. Perhaps Carbon disobeyed orders, but he never…ever…ever betrayed the race by joining them. You have committed the bigger crime, and I will kill you for it!”

“Commander please,” Double said casually, “you seriously are boring me with your fanatical speech. Haven’t you gotten it in your tiny noggin’ that I was sick since the beginning of my birth?”

“What?” Morpheus rose up, his head tilted to the side in confusion. “You were always like this?”

“Yes Commander,” Double said, “You see, I was raised by ponies. I never was placed into those schools or instructor courses that were taught to foals like yourself. In fact, I never had a Big Brother or Big Sister in the swarm. The Queen took care of that when I was…regrettably, forced to return to the hive mentality.”

“But you never did,” The Commander said, his eyes widening.

“No Morpheus, I didn’t” Double smirked, “ I pretended to be fully converted but deep down, my soul was still that little filly from way back when.”

“You’re scaring me…”Morpheus warned, his hooves backing up.

Double only grinned. “Perhaps it is time you see for yourself. Oh don’t worry about the magic. I have more then enough to satisfy my hunger. No, Morpheus, I will end you with the very enemy you swore to destroy. What a great story it will make! Why, it may even be featured in some book club! Commander Morpheus Meets His End by a Little Pony. Wouldn’t that be great? I think you’d-“

“What the buck are you saying?”

Double closed her eyes, and her form was engulfed in green flames. What came out was a unicorn reminiscent of Twilight Sparkle, except that she was light pink and had more white in her mane then the dark purple. On top of that, a cluster of violet stars stuck out as her cutie mark.

“Say hello to Twilight Wish!”

“Buck you!” The Commander fired another round of magical arrows. The transparent wisps of energy whizzed at supersonic speed before they were halted in mid-air.

“Mistake number one Commander,” Double/Twilight Wish chided, “forgetting to say hi to me.”

SWOOSH!

The volley of arrows were sent back towards the Commander, who was then pinned to a nearby shop advertising cider. Double giggled as she trotted ever so slowly to his side, her breath now coming right into his nostrils.

“And mistake number two,” she whispered, “trying to kill me.”

“How do I get myself into these messes,” the Commander moaned.

“Hurry Forge!” Thresh screamed as his subordinate struggled to keep up. They were within a mile of Ponyville after Forge had caused them to take a wrong turn.

“I’m trying my best Thresh,” the changeling managed to gasp, “why the rush all of a sudden?”

“Remember the changeling I told you about? The one who I said was a hatchling?”

“Yeah,” Forge was now raising his brow in confusion.

“She was alive this whole time!”

“What!,” Forge almost lost his breath and fell onto the ground, before getting back up, “You mean the changeling is alive? Then maybe we can-“

“She’s the High-General…”

Forge froze; his eyes regarding Thresh with a look that spoke you’re insane. Thresh heaved another sigh, wondering why of all times his subordinate would doubt him.

“Her name is Double, and if we don’t hurry now, I may not get another chance!”

“Thresh,” Forge said slowly, “Double is a wild card. She tried to disable you for Chrysalis’ sake! Why would you ever-“

“Because it’s my fault she got there in the first place.”

It had been spoken in the softest of tones that for a moment, Forge had to lean in to listen. Thresh wasn’t a changeling to mix emotion with work. He was trained to be cold and calculating. He was trained to be a High-General himself.

Before the Commander initiative, High-Generals were the true second-in-commands. Only recently with Double’s promotion did the need for a Commander arise later on with the political disputes from the Joint-Chiefs or Council of Generals.

Thresh sighed before speaking. “I know it’s hard to go back to your enemy. Even harder to find forgiveness. Which is why I understand if you would want to leave.”

Forge took this in for a moment. He could run away now. Leave right now and never speak of this again. But Thresh was his mentor. Thresh had been his Big Brother when the colonies were formed. And Thresh was still his Big Brother more then ever.

“Ever since you raised me,” Forge began, his tone growing confident, “I’ve never once left your side.. I’m not planning on it any time soon either…”

Thresh grinned, his fangs shining brightly in the dim sunlight.

“…but I made that promise to Cloak and Blend as well.”

The smile was wiped clean off the old High-General’s face. “What?”

Forge pawed the ground, his eyes shifting from rubble to rubble, “I won’t leave you Thresh, but we need to go back for our fellow changelings. They need to know they still have a leader watching over them. And they, unlike Double, haven’t tried to kill you. You may be a cold-blooded, paranoid old-timer. But you’re still the only force they can trust. And right now, I think we could all use a little trust, contrary to our nature.”

Thresh nodded, a smirk arising over his lips. “Then let’s round up the last of our partners shall we?”

Transparence had managed to hide out for most of the battle. It appeared as though changeling was fighting changeling and all the in-between. It had even escalated to the point where entire neighborhoods were demolished. Carbon’s plan for a successful invasion had gone up in smoke.

“If only we freed the Commander,” she squeaked, her green pegasus form still keeping her protected. She hadn’t shed it off since seeing that guard so far away. Even though she had the feeling she could sense a changeling nearby, she didn’t want to take any risks at all. Especially after that stunt with the captain and-“

“You there!” A familiar voice shouted. Transparence turned to see no pony other then the unicorn captain march right up to her. Sucking in her fear, she flared her wings, her eyes shooting a poisonous glare at his eroded armor.

“You’re the florist’s friend right? Or should I say the changeling who couldn’t lie to save herself. I already knew who you were. And now I can finish you like the sorry-“

“AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!”

Both equines turned to see a dark blur suddenly whiz right towards the captain. Before the unicorn could react, the object collided with him head on, knocking the stallion into a wall.

It was then that Transparence noticed the Commander himself lying over the unconscious stallion, unharmed thanks to his temporary cushion.

“Commander Morpheus!” the drone squealed, “I knew you would get out eventually. It’s me Transparence, from the-“

“There you are,” came the cheerful chirp of another familiar voice.

Turning around, Transparence saw High-General Double walking neatly over the new pile of rubble, a comatose Carbon held in her magical aura.

“Why Transparence!” The High-General squealed with delight, “I’m so glad you decided to come! Commander Morpheus here and General Carbon have both been branded traitors by Chrysalis. Leaving it my job to take care of them.”

Transparence stood dumbstruck. Traitor? The Commander? Chrysalis? Monkeys? It didn’t make sense at all, but if what the High-General was saying was true, then Transparence had no other choice. She was the elite strike team leader after all. And she answered to the High-General, not to a Commander.

“Well…” Double asked impatiently, “are you going to help me or not?”

A message for all you simpletons...

Ok, so I know it's been a long time since any of you "followers" of the odd changeling Morpheus have visited...but I have a question for you?

CAN YOU TAKE HIM AWAY PLEASE? LIKE BANISH HIM TO THE MOON? PLEASE?

I've tried and tried to get him out of my mane, but that blundering idiot has some sort of mind-reading ability. Not to mention what happened in Canterlot.

Oh...and don't get me started on Reflect.

I swear...these two will be the downfall of me and my plans.

So without further ado, I suppose I should update you on what that Swarm has been up to recently.

A documentary film crew visited us recently...haven't reviewed all the tapes yet.

I've been thinking of sending them out on a little excursion...

But really what can we do right? In the end, I feel any form of discipline will be blatantly ignored and exchanged for something else...like cider.

Anyhow, just wanted to see if any of you wanted to...I don't know...drop them in the desert for the vultures? Not anything harsh...but...yeah...okay it's harsh I know.

Sincerely,

The Totally Super Cool Future Villain Who is Somehow Involved in All of This