"...And we mourn for those that couldn't be saved, but we thank the man that prevented the loss of so many others. Today we recognize Major Duron for his amazing courage and for his willingness to reveal what most would ostracize him for. He is what was first thought impossible, and what many would still believe so if they had not seen it with their own eyes, a human magus!" Celestia spoke in her royal Canterlot voice over the crowd that was in attendance of the reward ceremony.

It's been a week since the Manehatten massacre as the news outlets had named it. It was accurate considering the numbers: over 550 dead, over 11,000 injured, and an estimated 155,000 actually affected by Fear's powers. There was no way of denying human magic any longer, it was too widely known. Scientist back on Earth were going crazy over the monumental news, though there are only a select few I've told where my powers came from. Mostly the Princesses, my closest friends, and General Blizzard of Manehattan. That last one was because she wouldn't accept any other answer I gave her, and I figured that at this point it didn't really matter.

Funny enough it was also the general's idea to have this award ceremony. A bit of a political strategy to boost the moral of the people and deflate Purge's campaign of fear all the more. By demonstrating the fact humans had magic, it was a point to show how little difference there truly was between humans and Ponies.

The news that did get released about my magic to the general public described it as a 'miracle with perfect timing'. Equestrian scientists had been instructed to tell the populous that my magic was apparently a dormant gene that had begun to reactivate due to my living on Equis. Though it should have taken many more decades before manifesting, if at all, my extreme emotions at Manehattan had 'against all odds' jump-started my magic potential allowing me to perform the feats I did. It conveniently explained why I could no longer call on magic of that magnitude, as it was a one time sort of deal when it first 'awakened'.

Some tried to argue why Fear had so much power, but it was passed off as he was being a being aided by magi in Purge, and his actually strength was truly much less than it had appeared. It was a flimsy excuse, but since no one had any other information to counter it, it was accepted.

With Celestia's part of the speech over, Luna had taken over addressing the crowd and heaping honors on me. I simple stood on stage stoically, in my new dress uniform that had been made for me. Unlike the stark white of Celestia's solar guard, the dark navy of Luna's night guard, or even the clean charcoal grey of the Equestrian Legion, my new uniform was pitch black. The epaulettes on my shoulders were decorated in silver thread along with displaying my new rank. Along with a silver cord on my left side, a new unit crest was displayed on my right side. The crest depicted a wolf's head, the left half made of onyx with a small diamond in it's eye, the right was silver with a sapphire for its eye.

The new crest was for a new division that, upon Luna's insistence be reinstated, the Shadow Stalkers were active once more. Designed to be a spec ops group, we would operate outside of normal regulations for as long the unit needed to exist. There had been several different iterations of this group in the past, each for different crises, and this one was created for the purposes of contenting with extreme magical threats, primarily from Purge. Though while Luna was the one who had pushed for its recreation, officially I reported to both her and Celestia. Though this was more a formality as I was told I'd get to operate more or less independently, and I was to never make records of our operations.

We were a secret weapon in a sense. Used to disrupt the enemy's efforts without them knowing that we were even actively trying to. Our first mission being to determine another Purge base and to collect as much info as we could to discover what was next in their agenda. Though back to Luna's speech.

"Today is a day we celebrate! That dreaded organization, Purge, has been proven they can not fight against the powers of harmony. We stood together and by our combined strength prevented their plans. And with the help of Major Duron we will continue to do so, until all those of Purge have been found and made to pay for their crimes! We will not fear these criminals, and that is because of one important fact. We Are Equestrians!"

Cheers roared from the crowd as Luna concluded her speech. Celestia stepped forward again and joined her sister and waved to the crowd. I smirked slightly at the scene, impressed by the love and command those two controlled without even trying for the most part.

We have a problem.

My smile vanished as I heard Mizuki's voice. What is it?

I had convinced her to join me as part of my team, mostly to help account for my sudden decrease in magic. This event in particular I had her on lookout to ensure the Princesses safety. Her reply nearly had me bolt off stage.

A series of individuals, scattered around the crowd, not cheering. I think most of them are unicorns. What do you want to do?

I cursed under my breath, Is there a pattern to their locations in the crowd?

Hard to tell. I'm not as good with non elemental magic as you.

Can I have your eyes?

I didn't even get a reply. My vision disappeared before flashing back with a new perspective. Mizuki's eyes were closed but the crowd could still be seen as a mass of dots that flickered and moved, magical output. Even without casting magic every living thing in Equis gave off a low level of magical output, the brighter the wisps became the more power that individual was gathering. Which was useful in detecting when spells were being cast, but also tracking targets of interest, especially the ones who didn't want to be found. What is especially amazing is that she was doing this from on a roof about half a mile off from the square, just to make sure she wouldn't be seen.

I found twelve unusually bright wisps scattered around the crowd, no doubt from use of a cloaking spell, though the pattern is what shocked me. It was similar to the primary points for a projection rune matrix, large enough to affect the entire crowd that was present.

Projection spell, not dangerous in a physical sense. It seems they want to send a message. I thought coldly.

I heard gasps and cries of shock reach me, causing me to break my connection with Mizuki. I blinked rapidly as my sight was returned to my perspective, and I rushed in front of Celestia and Luna as I noticed eight of those Ponies I had mapped out where casting. The other four were pegasi that joined them by each holding up a black stone that had a purple energy swirling inside it.

Above the crowd a layer of smokey shadow appeared, no one dared move as they watched in fear at the scene before them. From the shadows a giant hand clawed forth, hauling up a shadow like form of a cloaked unicorn, like he was crawling up from Tartarus itself. A dark chuckling came from the figure that became a full bodied maniacal laugh as he stood to his full height. The projection was thirty feet tall and definitely imposing. I knew it was nothing more than a vision, but the same could not be for the crowd.

Screams of panic rose as parts of the crowd tried to run, but the figure's booming voice froze everyone in their tracks.

"Be Still!" The voice was dark, and commanding at the same time. "Look at you. Celebrating a human, have you no shame? It was a fight between humans that killed so many just a week ago!" He accused, though he was just getting started. "It is clear that even our great goddesses have become tainted by the humans' corruption. Our efforts thus far have proven useless, we have thought too small. No longer will that be the case." He said with a wave of his hand.

Surrounding him an army appeared from the shadows, comprised of many races. Ponies were the largest part, but there were minotaurs, griffons, and even some dragons that could be seen. All represented by an army of shadows.

The shadow army began to beat their chests making a intimidating rhythm, like drums as their leader continued, "We will hide no longer! We will purge the human infestation from our world and reclaim its purity! Gaze upon your doom, human scum!" In a flash of light the hooded figure was now cloaked in pure white with crystal like thread for decoration. Where his face should be was just a bright white light, with no features to distinguish.

With a burst of light the shadows disappeared and were replaced by figures of light. The army was now garbed in plate armor of what looked like platinum. Any decoration was done in clear crystal, making the light shine off the soldiers creating a prism effect that washed over the crowd in a blanket of rainbow light. Their features were also blanked out in pure white light so nothing could be gained from them either.

"We will be the light that is needed! In time our actions shall be praised by all who doubted! We will be your saviors!" The voice boomed. Its volume causing the air itself to shake.

Then just like it had started in a flash they were gone. I blinked to clear my vision of the flash to look for the casters but they had disappeared. The only thing in their place were scorch marks where they had stood just moments earlier.

The crowd was in a state of unrest, nearing the brink of full on panic. They looked to their Princesses for answers, unsure of what to do.

Celestia and Luna made to step forward but I held up my had causing them pause. I spoke out to the crowd with a voice equal to any royal, and the affect was immediate.

"Citizens of Equis, what you saw hear just now should not be allowed to sway you too easily. The actions of Purge are clearly those of when one is backed into a corner. They first tried to terrify humans, like myself, into leaving of our own accord. When it was found that we are much too stubborn for such a thing they resorted to another tactic. They found someone like me, a human who by a miracle had discovered magic, and threw aside their 'beliefs' just to use one against you! To try and make you fear us, and have you force us from Equis. This failed as well! So they have resolved to try and make you believe that they are the ones in the right! To resolve themselves of the murders that have taken so many of our loved ones, and say that they were sacrifices for the better."

My words seemed to stir the heart of the crowd as shouts of encouragement rang out.

"They're liars!" "Betrayers!" "Murdering Scum!" "I won't let them take my husband!" "Yeah, or my wife!"

Cries grew louder before I finally held up my hand and silence returned.

"Make no mistake! These fiends can not be reasoned with. They believe that they are acting for, in their eyes, a righteous cause. This delusion has blinded them from rational thought, and we must be resolute in facing this foe. They might be former friends, family, or even someone you once loved; but they are no longer. They have declare themselves this day, to be our enemies! Saying we are the ones who are sick, who are blind to some evil, and ignoring the horrors they have inflicted on not just humans, but their fellow Equisi as well! So I ask all of you to answer a question, to yourselves more so than to me, will you fight!? Will you stand against those you once knew, to defend harmony!? Will. You. Fight .With. ME!?"

A roar rose from the crowd, cheers and whistles sounding out in glorious union. I had managed to sway the crowd away from doubt for the moment, though this wasn't likely the last we'd hear from Purge.

As I stepped down from the stage and made my way pass Celestia and Luna they each gave me an appreciative nod before the stepped forward to instruct the crowd before dismissing them from the square. I simple stayed to my path and made my way back towards the palace, were I was staying for the night because of today's original event.

My paced slowed just slightly as I felt a another presence appear behind me and join me in my travel.

"Not a bad speech." Mizuki said as she finally made to walk beside me.

"It wasn't even like I did it on purpose. I was speaking completely off the cuff for the entire thing. Amazingly, since I don't even consider myself that good at improvising. Got lucky this time though." I replied with a slight chuckle.

Mizuki chuckled back, "Well sometimes that happens. Good thing it was at a time like that."

"No kidding. Though we have more pressing things to worry about. By the sounds of it, we have an actual war on our hands. Not just some guerilla warfare antics and escalated crimes. I'm suspecting Luna or Celestia will be handing down orders soon, I'll go and check to make sure. For now just go prepare the team for departure, we'll probably be leaving in the next hour." I replied on a more serious note.

"Once we know where they are, why don't we just go and destroy them?"

"Not a bad thought, I actually had the thought cross my mind as well. Though I don't expect it'd be that easy. I'm willing to bet that whoever is controlling things behind the scenes is just waiting for the opportunity to dispose of us." I said.

I looked down at the unit pin on my chest as I continued, "This little pin might give me the ability to store more magic so I'm not completely useless, but I am far from capable of matching you anymore Mizuki." I took the pin off my lapel and brought out a small metal chain from my pocket. I brought the ends of the chain to just touch the top of the pin where with a quick flash it fused to the chain. I then hung pin turn pendent around my neck, the ability to change was a small little charm courtesy of Luna.

"True, though I still wouldn't expect to easily beat you. You honestly were stronger than me before. My abilities don't make me the best person for fighting other vessels. Also, you're not as weak as you let on." Mizuki replied in a scrutinizing manner.

"You're not entirely wrong. I still have basically my full range of abilities still available, though I just can't maintain them like I used to. I could probably do one attack at my old peak, though it would probably take me completely draining myself and this battery around my neck to do so. Looking at it that way I'm still strong when placed next to anyone who isn't an Alicorn or a vessel, but that's really the problem isn't it. We know because of Fear that there is at least one other vessel working with Purge, possibly leading them. I wouldn't be overly surprised to find out that someone like us was manipulating this entire thing."

We finally entered the castle grounds and made for the barracks as Mizuki answered, "Me either if I'm honest. Though what is there to really gain from forcing humans out of Equis? I still don't get that."

"I can only speculate on that front. They haven't slipped up bad enough yet for me to catch anything that would lead me to anything I'd consider their end goal. Even the closing the portals idea can't be where it would end if they managed it."

"What do you want to do? You're the boss. I'm just here to make sure my investment doesn't kick the bucket."

"Your investment? Whatever. Get the team geared up and ready. I'm going to speak to Luna about what to do next and then we'll go from there."

Mizuki gave a lazy mocking salute before continuing on the the barracks, as I turned to enter the castle interior and find Luna.

"THOSE BUCKING WHORES!" Luna screamed as she kicked a trashcan across the room with enough force that it embedded itself in the wall, about a foot from my head.

I just leaned against the wall as Luna got her tantrum out of her system, though the new wall decoration was slightly concerning. At least for my health.

"They, they DARE defile a memorial to so many! Then say WE are the ones in the wrong! I will not stand for such a vile act." Luna seethed as she walked over to her balcony and gripped the marble railing so hard it cracked.

"I'm not exact happy about it either Lu, but is destroying your own room the answer? Wouldn't it be better to at least be destroying someone else's room?" I mildly joke.

"Tia already kicked me out of hers for breaking her coffee table, it wasn't even that big a deal! We can repair such minor things easily." Luna didn't move away from the balcony, just snapped her fingers.

With a pop the room was reset to how it looked before Luna had started to wreck it. I sighed as I pushed off the wall I was against and walked over to Luna.

"What are my orders, Princess." I used Luna's title to get her to focus.

Luna had a thousand yard stare for a moment, she shook her head to clear her mind before answering. "You are to discover what Purge's next move is. We've had a couple reports about the possibility of a large base possibly existing in the deserts of the Badlands. If these reports have any weight then it could be a likely place for the army that was mentioned. Of course that's assuming they are actually organized in one location."

"What am I to do if they are there? You wouldn't be asking my team to just do recon, you want me to do something. So what is it?"

"Do you remember what you did in the Everfree?"

I blinked, before becoming very concerned, "Luna, you know I can't repeat that act. Giving away my spirits kinda insured that."

"What would you need to do it again? You've told me your abilities are still all there, you just don't have the power to use certain ones anymore." Luna said darkly.

"I'd need to have access to a massive deposit of raw magic, and I don't even know how long I'd be able to maintain any of my strongest magic." I explain. "Luna, there is another vessel in Purge, we know that. Even if I could use the form I used to fight in Manehattan, I wouldn't stand a chance against a true vessel for any true length of time. Not to mention they know that, so if they saw me using that much power I'd just be a giant target."

"You have a vessel in your team, that should be enough. Two on one for any length of time should give you the advantage." Luna tried to argue.

"Mizuki, while talented, still has a young body. She was weaker than me before,and if the vessel we meet is at my old level or above, we'd just end up massacred." I put a hand on her shoulder, "Luna you'd hate yourself if that would happen. I know you, you'd never forgive yourself."

She let out a heavy sigh, "You're right, I would. I'm simply unsure on how to rid ourselves of these vermin. The more propaganda they produce the harder the fight will become. They are charismatic enough that they can even make genocide sound justified." Luna scoffed, "The complete idiocy of that statement."

"Not going to argue that. In any case, I'll take my team and checkout the Badlands. I'll let you know if I find anything."

I gave a small salute and turned to leave. As I did Luna turned and hugged me from behind and said, "Please be safe friend. You must return, that is an order from your Princess."

I chuckled, "I'll take it as a order from a friend. That means more to me than one from a Princess."

Luna giggled as well before releasing me. I gave a wave as I left and gave a small mental order to Mizuki to meet me with the team down at the castle gates.

*Woooooo* The train whistle blew as it rattled along the tracks. My team was scattered around our private car talking in twos or threes. I sat in a small booth across from Mizuki and Nocturne, the one member I brought with me from my Ponyville troop when I joined this team, as I conversed quietly with them.

"Leu-I mean Major, why exactly are we taking the train down to Dodge City? There are faster ways, like portals or sky carriage." Nocturne asked.

"There are a few reasons but the most important one are we are trying to be discreet. Sky carriage is much too noticeable, spies would mark us instantly, and portals are carefully monitored so again spies would easily find us. While the train takes much longer, it is also one of our best chances of concealing our numbers. We'll be getting off from different parts of the train and meeting up later at different times as you know. I know I'll get marked by any spy in the station, you probably will too, I don't know how much info they have on Mizuki, if any so I'm just going to play it safe there." I answered.

"You've got to assume they probably know we're coming. I don't trust the castle staff enough to say that there are no leaks." Mizuki quipped.

I gave a slight smirk, "I agree, though I know no one outside Celestia and Luna know our true numbers, everyone else was given conflicting counts and none of them are correct. So at least we have one thing in our favor."

Nocturne was looking a bit nervous, "Major what exactly do you intend to do when we get down there? Do you think anything will be there?"

"Get yourself together soldier." I said firmly, Nocturne quickly snapping out of it. "To start with, this mission is strictly recon. If we can confirm a presence of the enemy, I will then determine what to do and we will go from there. After that point I've been given authority to do what I think is best. So unless I think we can win, chances of battle aren't high right now."

"We're on this train for another ten hours right? What do you want us to be doing?" Nocturne asked, looking calmer than before.

"Make sure your gear is in order, then retire to the apartment I assigned. Spread the word to everyone at that. Do as you wish pass that, everyone should know their time to be at the meeting location. It will be well into the night when we get there, so I'd suggest getting some rest now, we won't likely be getting much once we're down there." I gave him the order.

Nocturne gave a salute before getting up and spreading the order out to those in the cabin. Mizuki looked at me skeptically as I leaned my head back and closed my eyes.

That wasn't everything was it? I heard her say in my head.

Mostly, I have a task specifically for you when we get there. I replied, acting like I was resting as I kicked my feet up on to the bench Mizuki was on. I'll need you to count any spies you can confirm. The amount will let us know how likely we're in the right place.

Is that all? Shouldn't you still be able to do that?

I chuckled quietly, Yes, but what else are subordinates for? Delegation is an important skill.

I could feel the glare being shot at me, You are a hard person to like. Mizuki said coldly.

True, though you've still stayed around me. So you must be one of those that do. I doubt you'd stay around just because I'm your investment.

I heard a sigh come from her as she was no doubt shaking her head, I question that at times. Daily in fact.

I felt her get up and I cracked an eye open to see her smirking slightly as she walked pass me to leave and wait in her apartment.

Arrival came and went. We had decided to split the team into different hotels and then meet up later just outside the city in the start of the swamp that was there. We arrived individually or in pairs, until all fourteen were present. I send a pulse out to make sure we were alone and when I was satisfied I addressed the group.

"I hope you all got plenty of rest, Lieutenant Tenmei has informed me that there were over a dozen spies around the train station when we arrived. That just made the likelihood that Purge has a major base here go way up. Our job as you know is strictly recon for now, so let start moving and hopefully we can find the bastards quickly."

I got a silent salute which I returned, after which we made our way down into the Badlands. We each had a emergency notice scroll for quick communication and we spread out to sweep as much area as we could.

It was 2AM when we started this, and only were only supposed to check for a few hours before returning to the city if we were unable to find anything. The Badlands were vast and it was more likely that if a base was created out here then it was likely to be closer to the city to be able to keep up the supplies needed to maintain an army. They probably had a way to self-sustain to mitigate need for outside supplies, but it was doubtful they'd be able to sustain well enough that they needed no outside resources.

By 5AM I was about to turn back when my scroll gave off a glow. I opened it to find a report of a complex structure found about three miles from my location. Thankfully my powers where still capable of me there in half an hour without burning me out. So I found my direction and took off, sand kicking up behind me but it wouldn't matter until I would get closer.

I got there to find most of the team had already arrived, not surprising considering I was one of those farthest away. Mizuki walked up to me and briefed me on the situation.

"It doesn't look like there is much of an enemy presence. If it is Purge, then this is not the main base."

I looked over the sand dune we were behind to check the complex. It looked like a ruin of some kind, a small town in size, though only a few buildings actually intact. I pulsed to find that Mizuki was correct in saying this couldn't be a main base of any kind. There were about thirty life sources I could see and their movement was not organized at all, no patrols or lookouts that I could tell.

"Any suggestions?" I ask Mizuki.

"I'd say we just go down and wipe them out. Wouldn't be that hard."

I look out at the ruin again, something didn't sit right with me. "Do we know what's out there?"

A pegasus spoke up, "No sir. It appears that there must be passages connecting the buildings underground, as we've seen no one out in the open."

"Hmm, I don't like that. We've got too many unknowns. No patrols or guards would indicate no need for any, which means there are probably traps to alert those inside in case a intruder appears. Also we can't identify our enemy so I can determine how best to strike, and doing nothing isn't a good option either, in case they are Purge and might have the location of the main base." I think out loud.

Mizuki drew out her weapon, a dagger a first glance but it actually was a spear that could collapse down, "Standing here won't do anything. Let's go down and deal with them."

I gave a sigh before drawing my own tonfa, "Quick and clean. Try and subdue their leader if they have one."

"Sir!" I got a salute which I quickly waved off.

I point at three of my men, one of which was Nocturne, "I want you three to hang back, we've got two members that aren't here yet. Brief them on what we're doing if we aren't done already, and then come join us. Hopefully this should be painless."

"Understood sir." Nocturne replied with a quick salute.

I gave a nod before creeping over the dune to join the others.

I marked five points of entry and assigned people accordingly. Mizuki and I each had an entrance, with two pair and a group of three taking the other locations.

I made my way to my entrance and pulsed to see what was there. There was only one enemy and they had just turned to be walking away from me, the next closest would be too far to see me. The entrance was just a old house that was mostly intact, the door was simple wood and didn't even appear to have a lock. I pushed it slightly to confirm and it move with no resistance. I opened it quickly and a burst of enhanced speed made for the enemy.

It was a simple mare, her back away from me as I sprinted up behind her. I only planned to knock her out until she seemed to sense me and turned and I saw her eyes. Blank, that's the best word. Just pure white orbs for eyes, it was unnerving to say the least. My instincts kicked in and I flipped my blades to their dagger form and went for her throat. She didn't stand a chance, but that wasn't the shocking part. When my blade touched her neck blue sparks crackled at where my blade meet flesh as I completed the strike. She dropped like a stone her blood pooling beneath her, green blood. I received another shock when her body burst into green flames which quickly faded to reveal a creature I had only heard about until now. However the normal description of green eyes and wings we didn't match as this one had a yellow color to both.

Mizuki! We got a major problem here! I threw my thoughts out.

Yeah I know. These are changelings aren't they? I heard her reply.

From what I know. Did a shower of sparks come off them when you attacked one too? That's aspect is new to me.

Yes, might have to do with our magic. Just had to take out three. I just sent a pulse out, I think these guys are mind linked. There is a lot more movement than before, and the others appear to still be fighting.

I pulsed myself to confirm and sure enough I had eight new foes heading my way and I could sense my team was still fighting their foes. Take them out quickly, we need to get out of here before reinforcements arrive.

Got it.

I focused back on the room I was in and did a energy pulse to test something, and sure enough a section of the floor sparked way with blue sparks. It seemed my magic has a fairly violent reaction with the changeling variety. I walked over to the patch of floor and charged my leg with energy. With a swift stomp the ground exploded downward to reveal a tunnel. I dropped down and found the tunnel to actually be a series of passageways much like a maze.

I heard the buzzing of insect-like wings as my foes closed in on me. Let's see how much you like raw magic. I thought as I charged energy in my palm as I wait for them to round the corner. When they appeared I unleashed a bolt of lightning that instantly chained to three of them. A popping sound happened as I saw their eyes burst in a shower of blue sparks. Those three dropped dead in a pile of charred bodies and blood, the other five stood there for a moment in shock before hissing at me and charging with black crystal scimitars.

I had my blades back in their tonfa form as I blocked and proceeded to act as a blender through my foes. I cut down another with a single slash to its neck, and after cutting one across the stomach and finishing with a stab to the neck, the others grew cautious. One literally threw their blade at me in an attempt to distract me, to which I dodged and returned the favor by changing one of my blades and throwing it. The changeling was certainly not expecting this as he stood like a deer caught in headlights and let the blade pierce him in the chest. The other two tried to take advantage of me being down a blade by attacking together. Which was a good plan if I hadn't sidestepped the first and deflected the other's blade with an energy protected hand to lop of the arms of his friend. I then stabbed him in the gut a couple times and delivered an axe kick to the neck of the one with no arms to end his misery.

I retrieved my blade from the corpse I had impaled as I sent another pulse out. There were less than a dozen foes still alive, but I noticed I was down a man from when we started. Outside the base I counted five presences making there way towards us. Nocturne was finally catching up, just in time for us to leave, I chuckled slightly.

I navigated the tunnels with an occasional pulse to guide my way. I eventually heard fighting up ahead, and entered a room to find Mizuki cleaning up a batch of four changelings. She pulled her spear out of a changeling's head and whipped her blade to clean it of blood. I saw a changeling that wasn't quite dead get to its knees and was about to leap at Mizuki. Before I got a chance to react, Mizuki spun on her heels and slashed at the changeling, but her blade came nowhere close. Still the changeling froze before it split it two with green sparks flashed from the corpse, the guts pooling out in a gory mess.

"Aspect of wind, forgot about that for a moment. Got an update for me?" I asked as I approached.

"Not much. I did see a map room on my way here. It'll be a good place to check after we've cleared the enemy." She answered, collapsing her spear to its dagger form.

I sent a pulse and saw that there were no more enemies and the rest of the team was coming our way. Nocturne and crew were in the complex and also heading our way.

When the first four arrived they weren't looking good. Two of them were sporting some deep cuts and of the other two one was basically carrying the other because the broken leg I could see. It was quickly patched to make sure he wouldn't bleed out, but even medical magic would take a day or two to heal him up to fighting strength. Then the other two arrived carrying a corpse. They were both sporting morbid looks, unsurprisingly after having to carry their dead comrade.

"Wintershock didn't make it sir. One of those bastards jumped us and finished him before we had time to react." The Thestral mare on the right of the corpse reported.

I cursed under my breath, I didn't expect to loose anyone on this simple an opt, though I also didn't expect changelings so I guess that's on me. "I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say he will be missed. Put him down for now, we'll make sure we don't leave without him."

I received a nod before they did so and the others came closer. Nocturne showed up and he got the short version of what happened.

"First, Mizuki I want to on pulse duty. Make sure there aren't any reinforcements coming anytime soon. Next lets discuss what we've just found."

Nocturne was first to speak up, "Sir, are those corpses really-"

"Changelings, yes. Don't ask me why or how, but yes this was a changeling base. Now the important question is, are they connected to Purge."

The same Thestral mare from before spoke up, Silver Fang I believe her name was, "I believe so sir. We found what looked to be an armory and the armor was just like from the projection yesterday."

"Truly? Good work. Ok next step is seeing if we can pull anymore info from this site. Lieutenant Tenmei found a map room in her search. I'll be going to see if I can get any useful information. I want the rest of you to wipe this place clean. Any info you can carry, do. The rest, burn it." I scanned over the faces of my men before pausing on one.

"Waterstrike, isn't it. Do you feel ok?"

The unicorn I was looking at seemed surprised I called her out, "What do you mean sir? I feel fine."

Everyone's attention was on her, their reactions were normal until I looked at Mizuki, she nodded in answer to my silent question.

The unicorn's eyes were blank, just like the first changeling I had seen. I would pass it off as a human thing, but I had another human on the team and he wasn't reacting. Must be because we're vessels. I said to Mizuki.

Makes the most sense. Our magic reacts strangely with them too.

With a quick burst of speed I moved and picked the imposter up by the neck, her blank eyes going wide. The others instantly went on guard, except Mizuki, and drew their weapons on me.

"M-major, what's wro-"

"You can drop the act. I know what you are." I cut it off.

In a burst of green harmless flame I was suddenly holding a changeling in the air. The reaction from my team was equal parts confusion and shock.

"Now I want to know, what did you do to my soldier?" I asked in a very calm manner, completely opposite of the choke hold I was applying to this creature's neck.

"ACK! Why would I ever tell you!?"

"Because I'm sure you know what happened to Ponyville, and I'm sure that because of recent events, that Purge knows exactly who was the cause of it's sudden lack of influence there."

"Y-you don't have that kind of p-power anymore. Even now you're burning through your strength." It croaked out.

"You want to bet?" I smiled wickedly.

I let shadow envelop me as I grew another two feet and took on my werewolf form, the fear in the changeling's eyes was unmistakable. Surprise from many of my team as well, as for most it was their first time seeing me use the form.

"H-h-how!?"

My voice was now dark and distorted in this form, making me sound like some sort of devil spawn, "Because, you underestimate me. I don't suggest you do that again." I spoke to the changeling, but more importantly, the one it was linked to.

It's yellow eyes started to shine as a new voice spoke to me, "Hahaha. I commend you, Major. You really do like to surprise. Don't worry about have to search for your soldier, she's dead. It's too bad you won't find out where."

I was about to question the new voice when the neck of the changeling I was holding snapped like a twig, I wasn't even the one who did it. It just self destructed.

I toss the body to the side and return from my shadow form, "Shit! That can't be good. Mizuki!"

"We got incoming. Couple hundred at best guest, we aren't likely to all make it out of here."

"Yeah, well I say 'Screw that!'" I said. I charged my hand and unleash bolts of lightning to char the ground. It took only a few second but when I was done I had to drop to one knee. My vision going dark by about half.

"Major!" Nocturne ran over to help me up before he looked at what I did.

A rune circle was charred into the ground, ready for use.

I panted as I leaned on Nocturne, "Mizuki, I'm going to need you to power this. I doubt I'd survive using it for just myself right now, let alone the team."

She looked at the circle and then to me. "You don't like asking for small things do you. Fine, get on you idiots. Warning, this is going to leave me pretty drained."

"Yeah, sorry about that." I give her a weak smile.

Once the team was inside the circle. Mizuki charged up a large ball of raw magic over her head before slamming it into the ground. The runes lit up with blinding light before I felt the telltale feeling of teleportation. I hated it so much I avoided the need for it when I could, but this was likely our only way out.

It only last a fraction of a second, but it feels infinitely longer. With a small *pop* our surroundings were suddenly that of Canterlot castle, royal barracks. I tried to quickly get up and with a slight stagger I unleashed a burst of lightning to add a small change to the rune circle on this side that we had appeared from.

"Hah, there. That should make a nice surprise if they try to follow us." I say before falling backwards.

Nocturne caught me and eased me to the ground before asking, "Can someone explain what just happened!? I'm around for a couple minutes and too much just happened!"

"I had to send us back to Canterlot. They know we're here, but they won't be able to follow. Anyone that tries to use that rune circle in the Badlands will explode instead of implode for teleportation. The instant we attacked, the changelings' hive mind told whoever controls them in Purge we were there. It would have been nice to pull some more info from that outpost, but there's no going back anymore." I give him the quick answer.

Nocturne opened his mouth to say more but was interrupted when the barrack's doors slammed opened and a series of guards flooded the room. They paused for a moment at seeing my team ragged on the floor before quickly getting to attention as I felt a familiar aura fill the room.

Celestia walked in quickly to see for herself what had happened before also pausing for a slight second to taken in my battered team. Next she ordered the sergeant of the squad that had entered first, "Sergeant, take the wounded to the medical wing. I'll discuss what's happened with Major Duron alone."

With a quick 'Yes, Princess' and a salute the guards filed out and took our injured to get them medical attention.

The members of my squad that weren't injured helped there teammates out of the barracks and followed them to the medical ward. I sent Nocturne with them telling him he didn't need to be around for this. Which in the end just left Celestia, Mizuki, and I, in the middle of the barracks. I tried to stumble over to a nearby bench but when I tripped Celestia ended up catching me by the shoulder to steady me before just materialized a couch into the room for us to sit on. She sat down with me and materialized a chair for Mizuki to sit with us.

"Ok, start from the beginning. I know Luna sent you to the Badlands to check if the Purge base rumors were true. What did you find?" Celestia prompted me.

"OK, well..." I told her how we found the outpost, and upon assaulting the complex we encounter changelings. Which caused her eyes to widen significantly, but she let me continue. I told her how the description of known changelings didn't exactly match what we encountered, and how that apparently vessels are able to see changelings even when they are disguised, to which she was quite surprised. I then told her that one of my team apparently killed and how I talked to the changeling's master before being force to create the rune circle and escape.

Celestia took a second to process before she finally spoke, "This changes things quite extremely. Changeling's have been thought to be a non-issue after Cadence's wedding. Though by your description these might not be of Chrysalis' faction. Most of the other hives were weak or absorbed into hers during her reign, but with her fall it is quite possible another has risen to fill the power void. It is most unsettling that they are working for Purge, or perhaps they were Purge this entire time."

I shook my head, "Doubtful, I didn't kill any changeling's in the Everfree. These were only at this base. Are there more? Oh of course, I have no doubt. But I also believe there are plenty of other races that are also truly part of Purge. Though this could lead to some insight of what they are planning. Seeing as we vessels can see changelings when disguised it makes sense why they either want us on their side or gone. We're a major threat if the try to overthrow Equestria again."

"I see your point. Though what do you suggest we do? We know their base is likely somewhere in the Badlands, but we have no exact location or the forces to spare on an assault without leaving other important places unguarded." Celestia asked.

"Even if we did know where they were, our situation doesn't change much. We lost our surprise factor." Mizuki stated while lounging sideways in her chair.

"We'll then what do we-" I started to say.

"PRINCESS!" A guard burst into the barracks, panting heavily.

We all turned our attention to the guard as Celestia rose and asked, "What is it?"

"Princess Twilight has just arrived with urgent news, and scouts have just reported movement from Purge!" He spoke rapidly, panic evident in his voice.

Celestia turn to us, "I'm going to take us to the throne room, prepare yourself."

"Ah fu-" Was all the time I had to say before I felt the pressure of teleportation again.

With a pop the four of us were in the throne room. I nearly passed out but was caught by Ryan who was nearby me when I appeared. The room was filled with chatter, Luna was on her throne talking with Twilight, guards and messengers scurried around in a buzz of activity, most barely acknowledged Celestia had just appeared. I also noticed the other elements were here, standing near the thrones talking amongst themselves.

"Andrew!" I turn to see Vinyl and Octavia walking up to me quickly. Each holding one of the twins.

"What are you doing here?" I asked as Ryan let me go to embrace my herd.

"Twilight only told us it was important and that we should be here, just before teleporting us here to the castle." Octavia explained as I gave Vinyl a kiss before giving one to her.

I nuzzled the twins with my nose getting them to giggle before I stood up and turn to the thrones. Celestia had joined the conversation with Luna and Twilight, and their expressions were that of worry. Having gotten some of my strength back I walked over and joined them asking.

"Ok, what is going on? It seems pretty major, and I'm the one who just had to fight changelings!" I address the royal trio.

Twilight looked shocked and seemed about to press me for details, but she stopped herself answering with, "We have bad news and worse news, which do you want first."

I raised my eyebrow, "The bad news?"

Luna started with, "And Purge is on the move. Three massive armies have just appeared and are marching towards major cities." She told us.

"What the hell is the worse news!?" I asked, knowing I probably wasn't going to like the answer.

And I was right when Twilight took a deep breath and said...

"The portals to Earth are destabilizing."

I stood there with eyes like saucers, and said the first thing that came to mind after processing what they said, "Murphy's Law never fails to ruin my day."

Author's Note

Ok, well... That was interesting.

This chapter was hard to write. I have only a couple plot points left I want to cover and trying to set them up has proven to be quite the challenge. Life is also currently very busy for me so finding time to write has been a struggle.

I do hope you all liked the long chapter, I could have kept going but I felt this was about as good a place as any. It would've been another 3k words at least if I didn't stop myself. Which would have taken be another month to get done, so yeah, didn't think you guys would want that.

Anyway, WOOHOO!!! I finally got to 100k words! It's only taken two and a half years, sheesh. Thank you guys for supporting me this far. I probably would've lost interest long ago if it wasn't for your views and comments, so thank you soooo much.

That's all I got. Stay awesome everyone, Lyruil out.

Edit: For those of you who are wondering, these changelings are the old variety if you didn't figure that out. I hate the redesign and it will be considered non-canon to my story. Just FYI