Act 2 Part 5: Mortal and Frail.

It has been about sixteen days since my last entry. I've been making friends amongst the town's ponies, and of course equipping myself with an arsenal behind a certain purple pony's back. She's given me more freedoms, allowing me to come and go as I please, but enchanted a small bracelet that allows me to only walk within the walls of Ponyville, and can only be taken off in my room. Unfortunately, this means that I get much less interaction with Fluttershy and Applejack. I occasionally get to take it off and visit those two, but it is only rarely. I've been arranging an escape plan revolving around these 'Fun Fridays,' as the neurotic purple horse warden refers to them as.

As for weapons, I've only been able to upgrade the efficiency of my nail-gun, now it fires five shots before needing to reload the battery. It still, however, has to fire only five nails for it to remain compact. Might raise questions if Sparkle finds it, but I'll just tell her I needed a nail-gun and it was cheaper to make one than to buy one. While technically a lie, it was a valid point.

I also created a certain costume, with the financial aid and magical help of a certain purple horse. I always loved the Warhammer 40k lore and such, and as a fan, I decided to create the armor of the Imperial Fists Primarch, Rogal Dorn. The armor was actually protective, but made of cardboard. It was enchanted to have the same attributes and toughness as the armor, but any advanced spell-caster could unravel the wards easily. Additionally, I convinced her to help me make a prop chainsword and prop storm bolter. My hope was that, one day, I could make these weapons in real life. For now, though, I had some quite powerful armor.

Truthfully, the Imperial Fists were my second favorite chapter. Grey Knights were my favorite, but I didn't really feel like going as a Grey Knight without any psyker magic, and that was the same for going as the emperor, but I did add a golden laurel circlet to the costume. I wore bandages on my face, but I decided to put them on in such a way that I could let my short hair out into the cool breeze, which sounded quite appealing.

First, for the concealment of my weapons, a small compartment on the chest held my knife, and a compartment on the hip held my nail-gun. I planned to only use my knife if anything goes wrong, but the prop chain-sword had a little heft to it, I could use it as a weapon, even though the dull metal teeth had been covered by a shield. Certainly, however, the storm bolter would of no use. It was basically a nerf gun. It fired small rubber darts, which I had made myself.

As for Sparkle, she had chosen to go as Starswirl the Bearded. Why she keeps on using the same costume each year, I'll never know. As for Spike, however, he was almost tall enough to pass off for one of his favorite comic book characters, Darth Invader. Why they had a Star Wars simile here, I will never know. But what I do know, is he looked pretty good in Vader's, or 'Invader's' clothes.

Anyways, as for Starlight, she was trying to pass off as Solid Snake, I think. Maybe they call him something else here. Anyway, we were all prepared to exit the castle.

As we left the castle, it felt a little crowded in the town. Maybe a few people had come to visit relatives, but there was no way this many ponies would be here, just for Nightmare Night. That was my first clue. I tensed, nervous, and on-guard. Something was definitely wrong here. I wanted to speak to Twilight, but there was no way to do that without looking suspicious.

We started off by splitting up into two groups. Spike went with me, and the two girls probably went off to find the others. Spike and I stopped off at one of the first games we saw, the pumpkin launch.

"Woah. That's an actual catapult?" I asked.

"Yeah, the Apple family has a lot of interesting history about this particular catapult." Spike replied.

"Please, elaborate." I said, loading a pumpkin onto the catapult.

"Well, way back when Equestria was still being founded, and there were feudal cities, a particular farming family took up the sword and shield and raided a nearby fort. Still-forming Equestria took this as an act of war, but after a long battle, they eventually granted amnesty after it was revealed that the lord of that fort was co-operating with foreign elements in order to destabilize the weak country of Equestria. The Apple family was granted right to the fort, and the leader of the family's sudden crusade, Sir Golden Apple was granted the title of lord, and holdings across the feudal land." He said, lining up a shot. I directed him as he did so, assisting in our team effort.

"Fire!" I told him, and he pulled the lever. The pumpkin went sailing into the air, and crashed into the target, knocking it over.

He high-fived me, and then we left that game. As we walked around the festival grounds, we noticed that a lot of the games were manned by new ponies. Spike was about my height, so I slightly leaned over and told him to get ready to fight if anything jumps out at us. I walked towards the encroaching corner, then ducked into an alleyway, pulling the purple dragon with me. I forced him down to a crouching position, as I lowered myself as well. We hid behind some trash-cans, watching as three sets of blue eyes began entering the alley, likely finding us to be easy prey.

"Wait three." I whispered, he didn't get it but understood the gesture of holding three fingers up. They slowly came upon us, walking up to the trash-cans at the back of the alley. I began lowering fingers as they turned and left, then we both scrabbled out of cover, preparing our weapons. I hefted my chainsword, and held my knife in my other hand. Spike dashed ahead of me, tackling one and shredding it with his claws. While he focused on that one, I charged into the fray and attacked a changeling that was about to be bearing down on my dragon comrade.

I slammed my chainsword into him, sending him flying. The other changeling hissed, then jumped at me. I used my technique of leaning back and waiting for him to come to me. As he did so, I pushed him over me, sending him sailing into the trashcans. One immobilized, and two stunned. Not bad, for sixteen seconds.

The two changelings regrouped, soon joined by eight more. I started to look worried. Handling this many would be difficult, but I could hold my own, especially with this armor. However, I doubted Spike's scales would help him much in this fight, as he was only a teenage dragon. His scales couldn't hold up against a magical assault.

The changelings began channeling their horns, and I prepared, telling my dragon comrade to run and get Twilight.

I faced them, one against ten. They had numbers, but I was no stranger to combat. Several times, I have had to defend myself from assailants. I steeled myself, instinctively trying to rev the chainsword.

I charged, slashing the first changeling's horn off, but embedding my knife in its skull. I pulled, then whipped around to defend from attack. One jumped at my back, scrambling for my neck, but I dropped on my back and rolled. I crouched, batting away a changeling with my chainsword. I stabbed at the next one that came at me, slashing open its gut as I removed the knife from its chest. I slammed my chainsword into the next creature, breaking its neck as my sword crashed into the base of its neck.

Three down, seven to go.

The remaining seven flared their horns, concentrating their beams into one. It was flying at me, but I merely side-stepped, watching as the comically slow laser slowly traveled toward me, the changlings straining at the exertion. This was a stupid idea on their part, as I charged towards them. I leaped over them, then began hacking away at them. Two died in the attacked, my knife embedding in one's spine, and my chainsword breaking the other's skull open. I attacked the other five viciously, sweeping one off their hooves. I slammed my chainsword into their head, then once again. It broke open, their frail mortal body easily broken.

This unfortunately, gave an opening to one of the changelings. He pounced, landing on my neck. He slashed at my neck, narrowly missing and cracking my jawbone. I threw him off, then stomped on his head, his skull cracking from the force.

The next one came at me, while the other hung back and charged for a spell. I quickly finished him, but then I felt a tremendous force send me flying into a wall. As I crashed into the wall, denting it, I saw the changeling turn into a manticore! He charged me, aiming his stinger at my face, but I ducked and rolled under him. I kicked the large lion in the nuts, then jumped back, watching as he turned and charged. I crouched, then jumped onto him, landing onto his back. He immediately tried stinging me with his scorpion tail. I jumped onto his head as it crashed into the base of his neck, then began stabbing him in the eye and beating him with my chainsword.

The changeling writhed, dying of its injuries. I groaned tiredly, slumping against the alley wall. Green ooze covered my costume, but I knew I had to get out of there. I cleaned myself off best as I could, then exited the alley. None of the newer ponies seemed to comment, and I was soon joined by Spike, Twilight, and her friends. We headed to the castle, quickening our pace as we saw some of the newer ponies turning to us as we passed by.

Inside the castle, we quickly briefed the guards on the situation and warded the whole castle. We headed into the throne room. I pulled up an ornate chair between Twilight and Rainbow's thrones, but I stood. I rested my hands on the map table.

Spike and Twilight had sent a letter to Celestia, now I was just briefing the Mane Six on the battle plan, and Twilight had provided a microphone linked to the Royal Guard's radio system.

"This is Acting Castle of Friendship Commander Asrael reporting in. Intelligence supports that, indeed, there are changelings inside Ponyville. Anomalous events began occurring weeks ago, when several families that had no reason to leave Ponyville suddenly vanished, their houses put up for sale. This leads me to believe that the enemy has insider information. Turn off your radios after this, I repeat, do not leave your radios on. Change them to a different frequency, as well, as to harm their chances of gaining insider information. Team up in squads of sixteen, and keep each other within sight. Any pony that cannot provide legitimate ID is automatically assumed a changeling, and thus should be tested accordingly. Over and out."

The ponies around the table were still in their costumes, and were still worried. The briefing I had given would help, but it might be no use. Most of the townspeople were probably replaced. How odd that the Mane Six weren't abducted.

"Everyone. Place your hoof on the table." I went around the table, gently giving each a small cut. Each of them bled red blood, like an equine or human would. Most didn't comment, but Rarity probably complained. Then she fainted.

"Now that we have that out of the way," Twilight began. "Why don't we head up to the balcony to greet them?" We did.

Up on the balcony, nine chariots landed. One chariot in the middle surrounded by eight. In the front-and-center chariot was Celestia, Shining Armor, and Luna. Shining Armor was visiting due to some recent issues with trade chariots being intercepted by outlaws on their way from the north. Additionally, when he heard the words 'Twilight' and 'Changelings,' he insisted on coming. I saluted, straightening my posture. Shining Armor did the same, then I lowered my hand, along with him. I walked up to the chariot and assisted the alicorns off it. I shook hands with each, then we went down into the castle to discuss business.

I started the conversation as we came into the map-room- turned- war-room. "Reporting intelligence. On the left side of Ponyville," I pointed at the map as it zoomed in slightly to Ponyville's left side, "We've estimated about a thousand residents have been abducted. On the right, about six-hundred. This leaves five hundred civilians who are not changelings, and about a hundred more that are. We are gravely out-numbered."

I got serious, as I leaned on the map table. "I have a plan. It involves several risky maneuvers, but I think it is possible. If we strategically place our warriors. Each changeling likely knows that we're here, and are probably informing their queen, right? So if we assume that they have a majority here, and that they don't know about our reinforcements, there's a chance that we could easily cut off the head."

Shining Armor interjected, "Killing is not our way!" Celestia silenced him. "This plan involves an... unsavory act, but it is one we must consider. Remember, Prince, this Queen has not changed her ways, even though Twilight has given her several chances."

I continued. "The plan is simple, really. Who is the best marksmen that you brought, and do they have a gun?" I asked.

"We've brought a squad of sharp-shooters, but the squad leader, Sure Shot, will be able to help you." The prince answered stiffly, probably a bit sore about not getting to torture the Changeling Queen.

"Good, good. Now, for the backup plan. If the sharp-shooters fail in taking out the Queen, I am taking over the entire force, evacuating Ponyville, then razing it to the ground. And don't start. If we don't stop them here, right now, who will? In this entire, wide world, there are over twenty species. Of them, the most powerful empire is Equestria. If Equestria doesn't curb enemies and show its dominance, we will be trampled by dictators who see us as weak. It happened in my world, and will happen again, until the end of time itself." None said a word. They were either thinking of how to stop me, or that I was stupid and impulsive. Not an impulse, a premonition and a certainty. I went to the makeshift quartermaster in the main hall and requisitioned a long sword, which was almost perfect for me.

Back on the roof, I met up with the sharp-shooters. They were ready, and had prepared a rifle for me. I picked it up, noting its size and weight. I lined up a shot with a random pony that was walking around, noticing as a blue filter revealed the impostor as a changeling. Neat. I noticed, as I lowered the rifle, a gnarled root-like carriage. It was flying through the air, about to land in the middle of the town. I lined up a shot on the stage that was prepared by the impostors, waiting.

A green-haired bug-pony came out, who was probably disguised as something else. I wished the filter to go off, and watched as it did. In the place of the carriage was a black cart, manned by two bat-ponies. The queen was now a tall, royal blue alicorn with flowing, starry mane and tail. I willed the filter back on, then lined up my shot. Just then, I noticed fifty buzzing wings, right on top of us!

The strike team descended upon us, forcing us back. I retaliated by firing my rifle at their queen, a hoof knocking off my aim so that I hit her in the upper chest region.

I fought back against my attacker with vicious brutality, slashing them with the sword I had picked up at the quartermaster, cutting off its right front hoof. The creature screeched, then hastily retreated. It came back soon after, dive-bombing me with three others. Each wielded spears.

I easily dodged the pitiful attack with a roll to the side, in which I bumped into a changeling. I casually stabbed under my arm, then turned and pulled my blade from its skull. I whipped it out, then turned again to face the four bugs who dared to attack me. I faced them, slightly skilled, moreso than the average man. I had taken a little fencing, but soon found other pursuits more fun.

I didn't doubt that they would probably have the advantage in reach, but I probably had the advantage in skill. I quickly parried a stab to the side, it went under my shoulder. I clamped down, then tilted to the left, breaking off the spear. I also narrowly dodged an attack to my brain-case, it hit my shoulder but glanced off. I quickly retaliated, slashing the spear in half. Two disarmed, one to go.

The two disarmed ones tried to attack me, but I jumped back and flicked my wrist, slashing half of one's horn off. It hissed, then scuttled back to the side of the other one, taking the spear from it. The changeling that had the spear before he handed it off cast a shield, allowing only the changeling inside with the spear to attack at anyone who got too close. I focused my efforts on the last changeling outside of the force-field.

I sliced at his horn, lightly chipping it. He hit me in the chest with a buck, which barely moved me. It did, however, leave a sizeable dent in the armor. I decided to finish the fight quickly, and got close enough to stab my knife through his eye. As I parted from him, the two in the force-field started trying to go on the offensive against me. I parried each blow from the spear, then chopped it in half. Both forcefully lunged at me, which made me jump back. They landed on the ground, but quickly recovered and resumed their attack by buzzing their wings, baring their horns, and charging.

I sidestepped the first one, punching it into the other one as it flew by. They both crashed in a heap, then were finished quickly by a stab of my sword through their guts.

Everyone else had non-lethally neutralized the others, so I turned my attention back to the queen. I saw only a pile of ashen bones, and a quickly retreating force of bug-ponies.

I wiped my head, feeling a dampness. I felt slightly woozy, and my ribs hurt as well. I fell to my knees, then on my side. I dropped my weapons, then I felt darkness closing in around me.

I was being moved. I felt lighter than when I was in the armor. I was later informed I had a serious concussion from a buck to the back of my head, which I did not notice due to my concentration on the fight. Additionally, several of my ribs were broken.

In the room I have been provided, I typed this rather tedious entry.

Anyway, the entry ends here. They're talking about some kind of trip, down to a place called Appaloosa. Something about a nice, quiet home or something? Are they moving me down to some work-farm or some shit? I don't know, but I'll figure it out soon.

Author's Note

Our favorite human has dealt with the changelings, and will hopefully be able to relax and enjoy a nice apple orchard.

Oh, who am I kidding? Next time on Court Jester, the Wild West in Equestria! Guns, alcohol, tobacco, old timey honky tonks, saloons, and the local oil baron, of course!