The Changelings' War

Final Battle, but not Quite…

Aye… So it’s all come down to this, eh? The Changelings haven’t given up quite yet. This may not be the final battle, but its close. I can feel

it. I have other matters to worry about like managing my Black Shark and my Spitfire, so I feel like this isn’t going to be a sea or ground battle like the Straits or Appleloosa.

I’m scared that somepony’s going to yell at me for doing something wrong or something like that… I don’t want to find out, truly. I’m just going to ask the Wonderbolts and the Wind Riders if they could join us in the fight… This’ll be confusing because I’ve only fought in my Black Shark in a real battle once before (Appleloosa) and scouts have told me that there’s a new enemy that will be introduced this battle.

I’m not in the mood for being shot down today…

+++

Wonderbolt Aircraft Carrier Skyborne, Canterlot Dock, Eastern Equestria

“Spitfire. Me dear,” says Calo-Kalani.

“What is it Calo? And stop calling me ‘your dear.’ It’s getting really annoying. And besides. I outrank you and I-”

“Spitfire. I’ll stop yeh there… Aye… I may be an Admiral in the Neighvy, but yeh know t’oesn’t mean I’m a lesser rank than you in the Mare-force. Actually, me dear, I’m a general, I am part ah the Mare-force and you’re a cap’n. Jus’ a cap’n. Keh heh heh…”

Spitfire growls loudly.

Why was I put with this cranky old pirate?! She screeches in her head.

“Spitfire. I need ya teh get our aircraf’ ready. We’re gonna face dem buggers at high noon. We be’er be ready when we take our maneuver. C’mon, darling,” says the sailor studying his Black Shark helicopter. “We really need the rest of the Mare-force.”

“Whatever, Calo,” she grunts.

Calo whirls around and stares her square in the eyes with a deadly look and murderous tone. “There ain’t gonna be any backtalkin’ teh me, ya hear, Spitfire?” he seethes in her face. “I said, 'Ya hear…! Cap’n Spitfire?!'”

Spitfire jumps a foot off of the deck of their Aircraft Carrier.

“Yes-sir, General! I’m sorry, sir!” Spitfire squeaks.

Calo chuckles.

“Comparin’ you teh my bes’ 2 wingponies, I think, truth be told, yer quite a bit more... ‘nnoyin’ then either one of ‘em. Keh heh heh…” the scrubby Alicorn says. “This is mos’ likely the bes’ time I’ve had ’n this here war. Aye… There be nothin’ quite as ‘mazin’ as hangin’ out with a ‘dorable Pegasus like Spitfire… No worries, darlin’. There be no need teh freak er nothin’. Keh heh heh… I love bein’ with ya.”

A Pegasus resembling Cloudchaser runs up to Calo and Spitfire.

“Cloudchaser? That be you…?” asks the Alicorn General.

“Calo! It’s SOOOO good to see you!” says the Pegasus. “And yes! It’s me, Cloudchaser!”

“I thought you got shot in the back by a Changeling Anti-Infantry gun. I’m so confused,” Spitfire says, scratching her head.

“Well, I did, yes, but I guess the bullets didn’t hit any major organs!” says the pale purple Pegasus, clearing her throat. “Anyway, our scouts have found the Changeling’s airfield. They’re in the deserts of Raptors’ Narrows. I think we should put General Chrystryker in charge since he’s from there and he can navigate us to the place like the back of his hoof! And I’m not able to fly in the Wonderbolt Elite Force anymore. I can’t take the plane’s constant tilting and barrel rolling, so I’m probably going to have to take a Black Shark. General? Is that okay?”

“Keh heh heh… ‘Course yeh can, Cloudchaser,” says General Calo-Kalani. “I’ve a few Black Sharks stashed ‘round the carrier. Don’t worry, me dear!”

“Thank you, sir! I won’t let you down!” says Cloudchaser, saluting.

Calo-Kalani salutes her back.

“Sure thing, darlin’” says the Alicorn.

Calo-Kalani and Cloudchaser share a laugh.

+++

I’m kind of worried about this because this battle will be an air battle and the Changelings are extremely ruthless in the air when there’s no AA guns firing at them.

It’ll be a problem, but I have Cloudchaser at my side and there won’t be any need to worry about that, but there are other worries like how many Changelings vs. how many of us there will be, so we’ll need to remain extremely vigilant. We’re going to war tomorrow. I hope our luck pays off…

+++

Changeling Airfield, Raptors’ Narrows, Skeleton Scorch field, Outer reaches of Equestria

Changeling Commander Rigger paces frantically in his quarters. Thoughts of what would happen if the Changelings were defeated cram themselves into his mind.

If we lose, the Queen will have my head for sure… Please, you witless insectoids, don’t lose this fight! Thinks the grizzled Changeling malevolently. I’ll need to take my tank and shoot them down myself…

There’s a knock at the door.

Reilly. A female Changeling known for her beautiful features and graceful movements, yet unrivalled aggressiveness in her twin 25mm Bushmaster-equipped Mustang fighter plane.

“What can I do for you, Reilly?” asks the Changeling Commander.

“Oh, darling. We’ve run into a little… trouble and, oh, we need a little assistance? Would you lend me a little hoof my love?” says the female Changeling flipping her long dark-orange mane out of her eyes (which only makes it worse.)

“Oh… Yes… of course,” says Rigger sweating not because of a crush, but because of another distraction. “What do you need help with? I’d be glad to help, Reilly!”

Reilly raises an eyebrow in curiosity.

“Question, darling,” says Reilly questioningly.

“Yes, Reilly?” Rigger says looking at his schedule then his Atomic Watch.

“Do you… Like me?” she asks Rigger. “Like… like like me?”

“Um… no, well yes, but I mean as a friend. Not like a crush,” says Rigger. “Just on a tight schedule.”

“Well, anyway. Sweetie. My Mustang isn’t starting up and the engineers have ripped out its guts, *turned it* upside down, and shoved them back down its throat and it still isn’t turning on.”

“Have you tried putting the cylinder you took out to oil a few days ago back in?” asks Rigger looking at her with his amber-gold eyes.

“THANK YOU RIGGER! YOU”RE SO FREAKING SMART” Reilly squeals. She kisses him on the cheek.

Thanks, Reilly… thinks the grizzled and handsome commander.

+++

Temporary Airfield Bones, Oasis of Bones, Borders of the Scorch field, Outer reaches of Equestria

“Alright everypony… We got a member of our squad’ron that we know n’ love: our lovely Cloudchaser. Welcome back, me dear!” says Calo-Kalani.

The Mare-force ponies cheer.

“SILENCE!!!” Admiral/General Calo-Kalani yells. “We’ll be attackin’ the Changeling’s airfield swif’ly, but ya know tha’ I doubt they’re gonna let us take it so easily. No way. Aye… We’re gonna have teh face ‘em head on. Our scouts have reported teh me tha’ the Changelings are sendin’ in their mos’ ‘gressive pilot: Sergeant Reilly dal Segno. We’re not gonna give up even if she’s out there tryin’ teh shoot us down. NO! We ain’t gonna let ‘er do it! We’re gonna give that rotten Changeling the boot! We’re gonna give ‘em ALL the boot!!! WE AIN’T GONNA GIVE UP!!! WHO’S WITH ME?!?!”

The Mare-force cheers.

“I CAN’T HEAR YA! I SAID WHO’S WITH ME?!?!” Calo-Kalani shouts.

The Mare-force cheers even louder.

“THERE YA GO!!! LET’S GIVE ‘EM WHAT THEY ALL DESERVE!!!”

The Mare-force cheers even louder than before.

“LET’S GIVE! THEM! HELL!!!”

The Mare-force screams in agreement.

“WE’LL SHOOT DOWN EV’RY LAS’ ONE OF ‘EM AND THE MARE-FORCE’LL COME HOME VICTORIOUS AN’ BE FEARED BY ALL WHO DARE CROSS OUR PATH! I CAN FEEL THAT WE. WILL. WIN!!!”

The Mare-force screams jumps up and down full of energy.

“WE WILL NOT STOP ‘TIL THEY’RE ‘STROYED!!! YA HEAR?!?!” screams Calo.

The Mare-force are literally going crazy.

“LET’S DO THIS THING!!! LET’S SHOW ‘EM WHAT THE MARE-FORCE IS MADE AH! LET’S GO!!!!!”

The Mare-force dash to their aircraft cheering and singing and dancing as if they had just won the biggest fight in all of time.

The pilots, both mares and stallions, start their engines and thunder their way to the narrows

+++

I’m kind of worried about Cloudchaser because what if she’s a Changeling and I don’t know it? But maybe, just maybe, she’s not. She’s just her normal and adorable self and I don’t need to worry!

+++

Raptors’ Narrows, Skeleton Scorch field, Outer reaches of Equestria

The planes’ engines roar and the helicopters’ rotors whip around and around across the dry and arid land.

The Mare-force spot Reilly’s helicopter as well as hundreds, even thousands, of Changeling planes on the horizon.

“Black Shark Leader reportin’ teh ev’rypony. Ya copy?” says Calo-Kalani through his headset.

“This is Black Shark One,” says Caela, the female Changeling.

“Black Shark Two, copy,” says Cloudchaser.

“Black Shark Three,” says Fleetfoot, a female Pegasus.

“Black Shark Four, copy,” says Lightning Dust, another female Pegasus.

“Black Shark Five, copy,” says a female Pegasus, Midnight Strike.

“Black Shark Six, reporting!”  says Derpy (Yup. Derpy.)

“Black Shark Seven,” calls Blaze, another female Pegasus.

“Black Shark Eight, reporting!” says Star Hunter, a male Pegasus.

“Black Shark Nine, present!” says Thunderlane, another male Pegasus.

“Black Shark Ten, reportin’!” says Stormfeather, another male Pegasus.

“Spitfire? Ya there?” asks General Calo.

“Yep! I’m here,” the fiery-looking Pegasus says. “All my pilots, all 10 of them, are here. Of course including my favorite wingpony Rainbow Dash.”

“Hey! Why didn’t you tell me that, Captain?” the light blue Pegasus seethes over the into her headset.

“Heh heh heh!” laughs Spitfire.

“Wind Rider. Ya there?” Calo asks.

“Yeah. I’m here,” says the grey-maned Pegasus.

“Are all yer pilots there with ya?”

“Yeah. All my bomber crews are here.”

“Stryker. Ya there?”

“Yes-sir!”

“What’s yer status?”

“My Black Hawk's clear.”

“General Calo!” the four Crusaders say in unison.

“Chrystryker! Whattaya thinkin’, bringin’ those li’l fillies ‘long with ya!” the General Calo-Kalani snaps.

“They wouldn’t stop bugging me! My ears were bleeding for the rest of the night, so I had to let them come,” Stryker sighs. “Sorry, sir… But we’re all ready for everything those bugs throw at us!”

“That’s what I like teh hear I guess? Because we got INCOMIN’ FIRE!!!” Calo yells. “Attack!”

+++

Changeling forces, Raptors’ Narrows, Skeleton Scorch field, Outer reaches of Equestria

“This is Rigger. We’ve spotted Calo and Spitfire’s Mare-force and they’re coming in hot. Reilly will lead you guys and I, as well as Chrono, Taiga, Raythe, Terran, and Glitch will aid you in AA defence and counterattack if they land troops. Rigger out!” the Changeling commander says over the radio from his Jagdtiger. “Alright, Changelings! Let’s gun ‘em down!”

“YES-SIR!!!” the Changelings on the ground say over the radio.

+++

Sergeant Raythe, Changeling, Raptors’ Narrows, Skeleton Scorch field, Outer reaches of Equestria

The Mare-force’s Spitfires swoop in. Raythe’s Jagdpanther shoots down a plane. But a strafing run that makes her think on the edge and kills her crew ends her celebration.

“Dammit!” she yells. “In the name of Celestia! My freaking crew!”

Another strafing run on her Jagdpanther gets her hoof (but luckily the rest of the bullets go through the holes in them.) Green blood seeps out of her wound, but she quickly grabs a bandage and starts to freak out.

C’mon, Raythe… Stay calm… Don’t freak…! Thinks the rather attractive Changeling.

She remembers the last things her dad had told her before going to war:

“Raythe… My darling… If anything happens to you, don’t worry. I’ll be back home in the end and if anything does happen, I’ll find you. I’ll always be there to help you.”

And Raythe remembers asking: “Daddy! Where are you going?”

“Raythe… Don’t worry. I’ll be back… I promise. Don’t worry, my little hunter. We’ll have a fancy dinner. That I also promise…”

“Daddy?”

“What is it, sweetie?” said her dad as he slung his anti-tank rifle over his shoulder.

“Where are you going?”

The old and charming grey-coated Unicorn sighed for the first time in a while.

“I just… Well, I… I, um… Darling… Look. I’m going to fight in the war. The rest of my squad will be here in a few minutes to pick me up. I have to be ready for them.”

“B-but… Daddy?” said the 10-year-old Changeling, tears in her eyes. “Why?”

“Sweetie… Don’t cry… I’ll be back.”

“But Daddy! This is a war! Ponies die in wars! And you could be one of them!” she said as she started to cry. “Don’t go!”

“I’m so sorry, Raythe. I have to. I volunteered and I have to go. I love you,” said the Unicorn as he took off his heavy black helmet. “Keep this so there’ll always be a piece of your daddy with you.”

Raythe stood there crying. She ran to her dad and hugged him tight.

“Oof! You’ve gotten strong. Almost as strong as I!” said Raythe’s father.

He kissed her on the head as a rot-green army truck pulled up.

“My buddies are here. I have to go,” he said as he kissed her again.

He rushed out the door toward his squad’s rugged army truck.

Raythe just stood there and looked at her dad.

“Hold on a second, guys,” Raythe heard her dad say.

Her dad ran back to her.

“I love you, Raythe. Always. I’m fighting in this war for you and for mom. She’d proud of me and scared as well. I’ll always be thinking of you two,” sighed the grizzled Unicorn. “Goodbye, my darling.”

He kissed her.

“C’mon, Jacob! Let’s move! We don’t have all day!” a Pegasus yelled. “Hurry up!”

“Bye, Raythe.”

Her dad ran to the truck. Raythe collapsed onto the carpet crying mournfully.

My dad… Is he alright? Raythe thinks in tears looking at the soaked bandage on her left hoof. He has to be… I never saw him after that…

Raythe gets up, clears the Jagdpanther of its dead crew members and slips into the drivers’ seat.

I’m going to the airbase at the Oasis. She thinks in a mournful manner.

+++

The Second Battle of Raptors’ Narrows, Raptors’ Narrows, Skeleton Scorch field, Outer reaches of Equestria

Besides Raythe’s Jagdpanther heading to Bones, the rest of the Changelings stayed.

The Black Sharks lead the charge, Calo-Kalani in the lead. His eyes burning with raw fury and determination. He lets the Changelings fire first then unleashes a huge volley of .40 caliber bullets.

“Keh heh heh heh heh! Thar ya go! We got ‘em!” yells Calo. The grizzled-looking Alicorn presses the fire button and his 36-barreled gun system screamed while hurling out thousands of rounds a second.

Vvvvrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

“What the?” Reilly screeches. “What is tha-?”

KA-BOOOOM! KA-BOOOOM! KA-DA-KRA-KOOOOOOOOM!!

“This is Reilly! I’m requesting backup! A little help at the Narr-”

Vvvvrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

KA-BOOOOM! Calo-Kalani’s Metal Storm peppers Reilly’s Black Hawk intensely with .40 caliber bullets.

“No! This isn’t possible! What?! I! You can’t! CALO-KALANI! YOU FOOL!!!” the Changeling screams as her mutilated helicopter spins violently, the ground nearing her helicopter faster than she ever knew possible.

Only a few more seconds… she thinks.

She presses the side-eject button.

Nothing.

She presses it again gradually faster as well as more violently.

Still nothing.

She screams and randomly side-ejects.

“No no no no no no no no no! I never knew this was going to happen!”

Suddenly, something catches her fall.

“Gotcha, Reilly…”

“Calo…”

“Keh heh heh…” says the Alicorn. “Ain’t gonna leave ya hangin’!”

“Why did you save me?” asks Reilly. “I’m the enemy!”

“Keh heh heh… Don’ worry. I don’ care whatcha are. I’m not as merciless as I look.”

“You… You… You what?” Reilly whispers. “Wait… What are we floating in?”

“Aye… that be me Black Shark,” Calo says. “And you…”

Reilly gulps.

“You be a pris’ner o’ war…” Calo-Kalani says sternly. “Keh heh heh… just kiddin’. We best be off.”

“Y-yeah…” Reilly says guiltily. “Let’s go.”

+++

Reilly and Calo arrive at the Airfield.

"Look at me, Reilly... I know yer a Changelin', but yeh need teh know that the res' of us don' trus' Changelin's," Calo says with a smile. "I can do yeh a favour an' give yeh ah Black Shark or a Black Hawk, but I need yeh as ah wingpony, er, wingchangelin'. Yer a mighty fine Chanelin' if I say so mah self (and I do) but yeh need teh stay with me or we could both be shot to a gazillion pieces! If ah'm seen with a Changelin' (especially you) I would be perceived as ah traitor. Keep low , but aim high, mah darlin'!"

Reilly gives Calo a cute smile.

"Thanks, sir-"

"You can call me Calo."

"Thanks, Calo," she says, winking.

"What'll it be? Black Shark or Black Hawk?" Calo asks.

"Your Black Shark is pretty cool and I like the paintjob and the gun. Even though I might not get a Metal Storm, I'm fine with a minigun," she says.

"I'll see what ah can do."

+++

2 Black Sharks whip towards the battle, contrasted against the sunset as if they came from the sun.

whipwhipwhipwhipwhipwhipwhip!

"Changelin' Airforce teh Starboard!"

"I see it, Calo!"

Fockewulfs whine towards Calo and Reilly.

"This is Calo-Kalani! Ah'm rehquesting Air support at the Airfield! Changelin' Elite squadrons!"

"This is Tracer. I am coming for assistance," Captain Tracer says.

"Thanks, buddy," Calo says.

The T.R.A.C.E.R.s appear over the pink horizon in their grey camo planes.

"We got your back, Calo!" says Tracer

"Thanks, buddy. Reilly. Stay close."

"Understood, Calo!"

The Fockewulfs come at Calo and Reilly and the T.R.A.C.E.R.s with guns a-blazin'.

Ratatatatatatatatat! Ratatatatatat! Ratatat!

Thickthickthickthickthickthickthick!

Vzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzt!

The guns of the aircraft whine and scream, bullets whizzing past.

Thoooooom!

"DAMNIT!" A T.R.A.C.E.R. fighter pilot screams over the radio. "I'm hit!"

"Hang in there, buddy!" Tracer says.