Kamen Rider Scarab

Decades ago…

“What are we supposed to do now?” An older mare with tan fur and a grey mane asked as she looked at the other ponies and dragons who had gathered. “It’s been five years since the Changelings took over. We’ve got more towns popping up, but nopony actually wants to sit down and talk about how we’re going to solve this problem.”

“When anypony could be a Changeling, there’s not much else we can do,” a brown furred stallion with a dark mane said. “And with the so-called heroes heading the Empire up, we’re stuck here without much we can do.”

“Filthy, this isn’t the time for pessimism,” the mare said as she looked at the others. “What solutions do we have? The last time we sent delegates they didn’t come back.”

“We’re going to need allies, what about foreign powers?” Another mare asked, this one had a yellow-ish coat with a dark blue and pink mane. “If we can get somepony over the border and down the river…”

“Bon Bon, we both know that’s not going to work,” a Unicorn standing next to her said. “But honestly? I don’t know what else we can do. We’re not strong enough to fight off an entire Hive, but we can’t surrender either.”

“I don’t know, Lyra,” Spike admitted with a sigh. “The fact of the matter is that we don’t have a lot of options. But Bon Bon is right, we’re going to need allies outside of Equestria, but we can’t get to them.”

“What about Zecora?” Filthy asked. “She left for the Zebra Lands, maybe she will bring back help. Other than that I honestly don’t know what we can do. We’re going to need to get more food, water, things that we need to survive. The Changelings aren’t going to trade so we’re going to have to adapt.”

“Yes, you will,” a voice said from the doorway and they jumped, turning to see several ponies dressed in cloaks. “But I promise you that you will not have to do this alone. May we enter?”

“Who are you?” Lyra demanded. “Why won’t you show yourselves? How did you get in here?”

“Everything will be clear shortly,” the figure in the front said as they walked forward. “Your guards allowed us entry after we explained the situation.”

“We’re listening, but it would be easier if you removed your hood,” Mayor Mare said as she eyed the odd mare for a moment. “Given the situation, you’ll understand that we don’t immediately trust you.”

“Very well,” the hooded mare said as she placed her hooves on her cloak and pulled the hood off. They blinked in surprise to see Zalira standing there, shaking her mane loose. “My name is Zalira, I’m the reigning Caesar of the Zebra Empire.”

“Wait, what? What are you doing here?” Lyra asked. “Why would the Caesar risk coming into Equestria with what’s going on?”

“After the Changelings took over we took in refugees and have been keeping them safe from the Changelings,” Zalira said as she gave the Ponies a rundown of what had happened a few years before. “After Zecora made it back to the Empire and gave us a full update on what’s been going on, I believed that it was time to make a formal introduction to the ponies, and offer the Empire’s help.”

“Well, we don’t need your help, we’re doing just fine on our own,” Filthy pointed out as he looked back at the others. “The Safe Zone has enough problems without putting ourselves in debt to a foreign power.”

“No, I think we need to hear them out,” Bon Bon said. “We only have so many ponies and resources at our disposal. I know that this is an unusual situation, but these are desperate times. Mayor, this is ultimately up to you. What should we do?”

“We’re going to need more help if we’re going to survive,” Mayor Mare said with a nod. She turned back to look at Zalira and gave her a smile. “What help can the Empire offer us? What exactly do you want in return?”

“We can offer supplies, weapons, equipment, anything you need that we can smuggle across the border,” Zalira answered. “We can even work out ways to maybe get ponies out of the country too, but not in large numbers. What we want in return… all we want is to stop the Changelings. I hope that this will be the beginning of a positive relationship between our nations. The Changelings are a threat to everyone.”

“We’ll… consider it,” Spike said as he looked at the others for a moment. None of them were really certain what to think about this. The Zebras were offering help with no strings attached? It felt too good to be true. “Thank you for your offer, Caesar Zalira, we’ll let you know soon.”

Zalira nodded and walked off. The ponies and dragon looked at each other for a long moment as if trying to decide what to do about the offer. They had a lot to consider, even with the Changelings, could they really put their faith in the Zebras?

And more importantly, did they have a choice at this point?

00000

“You can’t be serious,” Jasper said as she looked between Sea and her grandmothers. They had just finished telling her exactly what had happened. “Is this really the only option?”

“Pretty much,” Sea sighed as she shook her head. “I don’t like it either to be honest. But I have to agree that there really aren't any other options, well beyond not using the Driver.”

“What about your illusion magic?” Jasper asked as she looked over at Sweetie Belle. “You’ve been able to use it to protect her this long. It’s gotta be enough, right?”

“Unfortunately not,” Sweetie Belle replied with a sigh. “The Illusion magic isn’t going to hide it when it gets more than this. At least not in a way that will be effective enough. I’m afraid that Sea is reaching a point where there is no way for us to simply disguise her.”

“Thorax, what about you? You have to think this is crazy, right?” Jasper asked, looking at the Changeling desperately. “We can’t be that far… right?”

“I don’t like that we have to do this either, Jasper,” Sea said softly as she hugged her friend. “Jasper, I’m not going to be any different just because I have to become a Changeling. I won’t be part of the Hive, well the true Hive at least. I’m still going to be the same old Sea Spray. I know this won’t be easy for you, but… I need you by my side, please? You’re my best friend…”

“Sea I…” Jasper said as she paused a moment. She had to think about this, even if she had known that this was coming, she didn’t think it would come this soon. “Do you really think this is the only option?”

“Yeah… I do,” Sea said softly as she lowered her head. “I hate it honestly, but I guess it’s the only choice we have right now. I’m sorry that this had to happen, I don’t feel like I’m ready either.”

“You really picked a terrible time to do this, you know that right?” Jasper groaned. “How are we going to do this?”

“That’s the easy part,” Thorax replied. “I will carry out the conversion. The hard part is going to be finding a place to have it done and to keep her safe however. The fact is that we need to protect her while the process is going on. We can’t risk her in the underground base of the Resistance, this is going to leave her vulnerable to the Changelings that are in town now.”

“Right, they’d love to take her,” Jasper sighed as she looked at Sea. “Alright, I think we can find a place to hide her. Thorax, do you have to be with her the whole time?”

“No, I have to be there to start the process, but once that’s done I’m not required if she doesn’t resist,” Thorax replied. “Honestly the role is more to make sure that the new Changeling doesn’t get attacked in the cocoon.”

“Yeah, all of this isn’t exactly filling me with confidence,” Sea groaned. “Is this going to work or not? Or am I going to wind up going insane?”

“Nah, you won’t go insane… at least probably not…” Thorax replied. “No, you’ll be fine. Don’t worry about it, Sea. All we need now is a place to work.”

“We’ll take you to the Safehouse on the edge of the Everfree Forest,” Sweetie Belle told them. “It’s not ideal, but it’s the best we can do. Jasper, Thorax, Shining are you going to be able to keep her safe?”

“Yeah, we just need to use our Drivers,” Jasper replied as she looked over at Shining for a moment. “Shining, listen. I’m not about to make a decision when Sea is in danger, you understand right?”

“You made your choice pretty clear earlier,” Shining muttered as he looked back at Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. “But I’m willing to help keep Sea safe for as long as we’re here in Ponyville.”

“Sea, are yah even ready for this?” Apple Bloom asked. “It feels like we’ve heard from everypony except fer tha one who’s feelings really matter right now.”

“Honestly? I don’t think it matters if I’m ready or not,” Sea sighed. “This is something that we have to do even if I don’t like it. I wouldn’t mind a little more time first though, this is a lot to take in.”

“It’s okay, we need to get everything ready anyway,” Scootaloo said. “We’ll need to get everything set up at the safe house.”

“Alright, we'll see you in... how long would you say would be a good idea?" Sea asked as she looked around a moment. "I mean, we have a few places we could go. Though what do we do if we run into the Changelings again?"

"I'll take care of them," Jasper said as she looked at her grandmothers and they nodded in agreement. "You don't need to put yourself at further risk right now, Sea. If something happens to you then it'll be all over. They're here for you, and if they manage to grab you..."

"I guess you're right, I really don't have much of a choice, and it's better than putting myself at risk," Sea sighed. "Alright

I'll be fine, I promise," Sea said as she took a deep breath. "But you're right of course. But, Jasper are you sure you're going to be okay? This isn't exactly the best situation for either of us to be in."

"I'll be fine," Jasper said as she hugged Sea tightly. The two hugged for a long moment as they enjoyed the feeling of warmth. Jasper looked at Sea for a moment before she nodded and the two walked off.

"Do you think they're going to be okay?" Thorax asked as he looked at the others. "I'm worried about Sea, what if..."

"She's a tough one, I think she'll be fine, we just need to give them time," Scootaloo answered. "Unfortunately they don't have a lot of time at this point. How long do you think it'll take to get set up?"

"Not long, honestly all I really need is for her to be there, I'm more concerned about making sure that she's going to be safe," Thorax answered with a shrug. "But also we'd not need to put enough ponies outside the safe house or it's just going to draw attention."

"Right, well Ah'll figure somethin' out," Apple Bloom offered. "How many of our soldiers do yah think we would need ta back up tha Riders there?"

"Not many," Sweetie Belle said as she turned and looked over the notes on who was on duty where right now. "We have a few ponies who are not on duty right now. I can have them go to protect the safe house, that's as good a plan as any at this point. Thorax, once you're done make sure that you're there to help, okay?"

"Yeah, I'll be there," Thorax said. "I just hope that this is the right decision at this point."

00000

"Why do you want Jasper to come back to the Zebra Lands with you?" Sea asked Shinning. The Unicorn blinked a little as he looked back at her, caught off guard by the question. They were in the common room of the communal house right now.

"Well, she's family, it took a lot of convincing to actually get the Caesar to agree to help smuggle her out..." Shining said as he brushed his mane back. He didn't exactly look sure about this either as he looked over at Jasper who was reading a book and not looking at them. "She doesn't want to admit it, but she wants to go back too, deep down."

"Maybe, but she's not going to," Sea admits as she shook her head. "I never knew my real family, I guess if I had a chance to go back to them I would take it."

"So, do you think she should go to the Empire?"

"Honestly? I think she should make the choice for herself, it's not up to either of us what she does," Sea sighed as she leaned back against the wall and took a drink. "Jasper is her own mare, she should decide what she does with her own life. I know that you want her to go back with you."

"I'm scared that something is going to happen to her," Shining said softly. "She's my sister, and with everything that's going on in the world, I think it would be best for her to come back with me."

"Well, I guess we'll find out what she decides," Sea said as she took another drink.

"You really never knew your parents?" Shining asked as he looks at her. "I mean, I guess that makes sense, with... well... yeah what's going on."

"Yeah, as far as I can tell they just dropped me off on the Orphanage's steps and I was raised by your grandmothers," Sea replied with a shrug. "They never met my parents, I never met my parents. They're like my family at this point... and yeah that's why I want to fight and protect them and the rest of the Safe Zone."

Shining looked back at Jasper for a moment as he looked thoughtful for a long moment. He had to admit that Sea was right, he had lost sight of what Jasper wanted and was more focused on what he thought was best for her. He nodded for a moment and then looked back at Sea.

"You're right, but it is true that we're going to need a Rider to help in the Empire in the event that things get worse," Shining said. "The fact of the matter is that if the war with the Changelings turns hot, we're all just going to get dragged into it."

"Well, there is always that stone you brought," Sea pointed out. "If we can ever find a pony capable of using it, then maybe they'll be able to help you over in the Empire."

"Yeah, maybe, but I honestly don't know," Shining replied with a shrug. "We've tried using the stone to try and get ponies to be able to connect with it already, but it hasn't worked so far. There are other stones out there too, if we can find them at least, right?"

"Yeah, here's hoping we can," Sea replied as she took a long drink. "Let's just talk about something else, okay? I have a lot on my mind right now."

Shining nodded a little as he levitated up a book and flipped through it for a moment. He looked out the window at Ponyville for a long moment as he thought about everything that had happened. Equestria was never going to be the same again after this, so it was only a matter of figuring out how they were going to make things better.

“So, is there anything interesting to do around here?” Shining asked. “It’s been awhile since I was in Ponyville and I didn’t really get to spend much time in town itself.”

“Honestly? Not a whole lot, we have a few things we can do around town,” Sea answered. “I’m sorry, I’m not really that talkative right now, I know it doesn’t exactly make me the best company.”

“Well, I’m here to at least give you someone to talk to,” Shining said with a smile as he gave her a nod. He turned serious after a moment as he looked over at Jasper. “Jasper’s worried about you, you know.”

“Yeah, I know,” Sea said as she brushes her mane back. “If something happens to her though, I don’t know what I would do. I’m worried about her too, sometimes I wonder if maybe she should go back with you.”

“We’ll see what she decides, I guess,” Shining said as Jasper got up and walked over to them.

“What are you two talking about?” Jasper asked as she took a drink. “You two aren’t talking about me behind my back, are you?”

“No, of course not, we were waiting for you to come over here so we can talk to you to your front,” Sea said with a chuckle. “Come on, Jasper, we’re not going to say anything bad about you. As far as you know at least.”

“Yeah, yeah, I totally don’t buy it,” Jasper said with a chuckle. “I saw you two looking over towards me. So, what were you saying about me?”

“Oh, you know, not much, just the usual sibling and best friend stuff,” Shining said with a chuckle. “You know, gossiping about you, the usual.”

“Yeah, like you know what that’s like,” Jasper said with a chuckle as she took a drink. “Alright, I’ll let you two keep your secrets. I’ll just have to find somepony to talk to you about behind your back. I wonder what Crystal Hoof is up to, I’m sure he’d be willing to talk.”

“You’re enjoying this aren’t you?” Sea asked.

“Immensely,” Jasper said with a laugh. “Come on you two, let’s try and enjoy our day, okay? I mean, Sea you have to… you know… let’s try not to think about that kind of thing today, okay?”

“Yeah, okay,” Sea said with a soft smile as she looked at Shining and then Jasper. “Let’s just enjoy the rest of the day together, okay?”

The three of them started talking, and for a while it felt like Sea’s life was normal again. It was a nice sensation, even if it was going to be fleeting. She took a deep breath, and just enjoyed the moment of being with her friends.

00000

“Are you ready for this, Sea?” Scootaloo asked as they headed into the safe house together.

“Honestly? No, but I don’t have a choice,” Sea said as they closed and locked the door behind them. “Is everypony set up outside? Are we ready for this?”

“Pretty much as ready as we’ll ever be, we didn’t exactly prepare for this kind of thing when forming the resistance,” Sweetie Belle answered.

“Right,” Sea said as she looked around. It was actually strangely comfortable. There were several ponies around already getting everything set up. “Do they all know about, well, you know…”

“Yes, they’ve all been made aware of what we have to do,” Thorax said as he came out of one of the side rooms. “They’re not exactly happy with it, but they’re here as the last line of defense, you know if me and Jasper...”

“I’d rather you not dwell on that too much, it’s not helping,” Sea sighed. “I’ll be fine, right?”

“Of course you’ll be fine, this is… right I should probably not say how common it is, it’s not helping either,” Thorax said. “Just come with me and I’ll get it all set up.”

Sea nodded a little and followed Thorax into the back room. It was actually surprisingly comfortable looking and Jasper and Shining were already there waiting for them. Jasper shifted uncomfortably for a moment but she looked at Sea with a smile when she saw that she was there.

“Hey Sea,” Jasper said. “Are you…”

“Please don’t ask me that, I’ve been asked that so many times that I’m not sure anymore,” Sea groaned.

“Right, sorry,” Jasper said. “Well, don’t worry, we’re going to be out there watching your back. You’re going to be just fine, right Thorax?”

“Right, just sit down on the couch here,” Thorax said and nodded to a couch in the room. Sea nodded a little as she sat down, a bit surprised at how comfortable it felt. “This may feel a little weird at first, but just let it envelop you. I’ll start to connect you to the Shadow Hive, but you’re going to have to do the rest of it, okay?”

“Okay,” Sea said as she looked at her friends nervously for a moment. Khepri flew in and landed on the couch cushion next to her. “Well… I guess it’s time.”

“Tch, it was bound to happen eventually,” Khepri commented, which just made Sea roll her eyes. “Don’t take it too hard, Sea, you’re going to make a fine…”

“Thorax, do this before I kill Khepri,” Sea said.

Thorax chuckled a little at that as his horn began to glow. “You want to exhale, your instinct will be to inhale, but you want to exhale,” he said as the cocoon began to form around Sea. There was a long pause as she watched them, exhaling as the green cocoon surrounded her.

Sea felt panic rising for a moment as the magical cocoon enveloped her body. The strange sensation went across her body, as her eyes slowly started to close.

“Come child, become one with us… become one with the Hive…”

00000

Decades Ago…

Zalira paused a moment as she looked around her office for a moment. With everything that had happened in the past decade it was strange to think that she had to leave now. It was kind of sad after everything that had happened and everything she had done to try and help the ponies, but she wasn’t going to be able to continue her role as the Caesar.

She ran her hoof through her mane gently. While her successor had said that he’d do what he could to continue the support for the Pony resistance, she wasn’t sure how far it would go. Sometimes she was even a bit afraid that the other Caesars might take advantage of the situation if the Resistance was able to win and spread the Empire’s power.

She looked at the papers on her desk and shuffled through them a moment. She signed a few of them, putting them in the box and taking a seat behind the desk.

There was a knock on the door and she looked up. “Come in,” she said.

A stallion dressed in the elaborate clothing of a member of the clergy entered. He bowed his head slightly and gave Zalira a smile. “My Caesar, it is an honor to have a chance to speak with you.”

“Well, I won’t be your Caesar much longer, you will be in a few hours, Vanor,” Zalira said as she gave him a slight smile. “I know that things haven’t been easy in the Empire lately with the tensions with the Changelings. I wanted to speak with you one last time to see what you think should be done.”

“Well, that is a good question,” Vanor said as he looked at her. “With the refugee situation, some of the tribes are getting a bit antsy about it.”

“What about you personally?” Zalira asked. “The Caesar must represent the will of the Tribes and of those that make them up after all. What does the new Caesar believe that we should do?”

Vanor paused for a moment as he brushed his mane back. “Honestly? I believe that you made the right call. I don’t know if all the Caesars will be willing to make the same choice, the Empire is in danger as long as the Changelings are there. We don’t really have many other options other than to send support to the Resistance, do we?”

“Any other option will just put what’s left of Equestria at risk,” Zalira agreed. “The Changelings don’t need ponies to feed, and they’ll come after the Empire next. Or any of the other nations, but we’re the only ones who seem to be willing to actually do something about it.”

“Which means that if we pull out, the ponies will be on their own,” Vanor said and Zalira nodded in agreement. “Alright, I see your point.”

“So, what are you going to do?” Zalira asked.

“I believe that you’re right, we do need to help them,” Vanor said with a sigh. “Even with everything that is going on, the Zebras of the Empire do still understand that things need to be done to help them. The Tribes may not like it, but I think given the alternative they’ll understand the choice.”

“Yes, I’m sure they will, I hope,” Zalira said with a sigh as she got up and offered him a hoof. “Alright Caesar Vanor, take good care of the Empire. We have a long way to go before we’re through this long night, hopefully the day will come when we are able to live in peace again.”

“Of course Zalira,” Vanor said as he bowed his head slightly. He had a difficult job ahead of him, but he knew that the people of the Empire would support whatever the Caesar chose, at least he hoped so.

So now there was nothing to do but wait.

00000

“So, do you ever wonder why we’re here?” Jasper commented out loud to Shining.

“Don’t start that again, it got old the first fifty times,” Shining said with a roll of his eyes, which got a laugh from his older sister. “You enjoy this don’t you?”

“Honestly? It’s the only thing that’s keeping me sane right now,” Jasper admitted with a sigh. “My best friend is in there having that done to her. I’m scared of what’s going to happen when she comes out of this and I’m afraid that she’s not going to be the same Sea that I grew up with. So you’ll excuse me for trying to maintain my sanity!”

“Okay… fair enough,” Shining said with a sigh. “I guess it’s my own fault, I should’ve been here instead of in the Empire.”

“No, don’t say that,” Jasper said as she placed a hoof on Shining’s. “You’re doing what you need to do there, just like I’m doing what I need to do here. We’re both where we’re meant to be, okay?”

“That doesn’t mean I have to like it,” Shining said softly.

“I know, and if I could I’d go back with you to mom and dad,” Jasper said. Then she spoke again, this time with more confidence than she had in a long time. “But I also know that this war isn’t going to last forever. We need to keep fighting if we’re going to win this, and that means having the Kamen Riders here to fight back. And I swear that once this is over, we’re all going to have a chance to be a family.”

The two siblings stand there for a moment in silence as they think about that. After a moment, Shining actually smiles a bit and looks at Jasper. “Hey Jasper.”

“Yeah?”

“Do you ever wonder why we’re here?”

Jasper just laughed as the door opened behind them and Thorax in his pony form stepped out. “Hey, how’d it go?”

“Well, she’s not exactly comfortable, but the process is underway,” Thorax answered with a sigh as he shook his head. “I don’t like doing that, it always feels wrong to me.”

“Are you going to be okay?” Jasper asked.

“Yeah, it just took a bit out of me,” Thorax said with a soft smile as he wrapped his Guardian Driver around his barrel. “We want to be ready in case we have to fight something, right?”

“Right, that makes sense, sorry I was a bit distracted,” Jasper said as she did the same. She placed her hoof on the Lux Stone, examining it for a long moment as the yellow lights danced in it. “It’s weird…”

“What’s weird?” Shining asked.

“I’m just thinking about everything that’s going on,” Jasper said. “We’ve spent our whole lives living in fear of the Changelings. But now in a matter of weeks we’ve actually been able to start fighting back.”

“Yeah, I guess that is weird,” Thorax said. “But everything fell into place. There was you, and Sea, and everypony else that’s involved. The way I see it, this is Equestria’s chance at stopping a terrible crime.”

“So, what are we going to do when this is done?” Shining asked. “We can’t keep fighting forever, something is going to give eventually.”

Before either Rider could answer, there was a sudden sound of a chuckle. The Changelings from before arrived, with the lead Changeling flicking his tongue out like a snake testing the air. He smiled at the three of them. “You three are really starting to get under my carapace. Let me through to your friend.”

“Not on your life,” Jasper said as she struck a fighting pose. “We’re not going to let you get to Sea right now.”

The Changeling looked like he was about to say something before Shining raised his rifle and fired a shot over his head. The Unicorn nodded to the two Riders. “Time to do this, Riders.”

“Right,” Jasper said as she slid the Lux Stone into her Driver and Thorax did the same with the Camo Stone.

“Henshin!” They said in unison as they activated their Guardian Drivers.

“SHINE! LIGHT OF THE MORNING STAR!”

“HIDE! SECRET OF THE SHINOBI!”

The two took on their Rider forms. The Changelings grinned as they did the same with their combat forms. Shining raised his rifle, and both sides prepared for combat.

“Are you ready for this?” Jasper asked Thorax as her revolver appeared in her hoof.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Thorax said as his dual swords appeared in his hooves. “I’ll see you on the other side.”

Jasper grinned as Thorax turned invisible and she started shooting at the Changelings and forming a light shield on her other hoof. She was not going to let them get anywhere close to Sea, not without a fight.

00000

Sea felt strange, like she was floating in liquid. She couldn’t open her eyes, but she knew that she was stuck in the transformation cocoon. The strange sensation filled her body, but she couldn’t bring herself to try and move. It was a weird sensation, and the silence of it was actually kind of nice.

“Child…” A female voice echoed in her mind. “My child, you have come to me.”

“Who are you?” Sea asked, for a moment not even realizing that she was speaking telepathically instead of with words. “What do you want with me?”

“Child, I am your Queen, you are becoming one with the Hive,” the voice replied. Sea took a moment to realize that she was talking to Queen Chrysalis herself. “Come to me, you have nothing to fear. Become one with us, there is no reason to keep fighting us. Come, join your true family.”

The voice sounded soothing, almost motherly. Sea felt herself slipping away a little, feeling a warm feeling as the Hive started to encompass her. It felt so nice, why had she ever fought this? The Hive was where she belonged. Her friends should join her, her true family was waiting for her in Canterlot.

“Sea, snap out of it!” A voice echoed in her mind, causing her to snap out of the reverie. She didn’t recognize it at first before she suddenly realized it sounded similar, though not exactly the same, as Princess Dusk. “This isn’t the time to surrender!”

“Princess Dusk Shadow? Is that you?” Sea asked with a groan. “What are you doing in my head?”

“I’m not her… well, I suppose I am her in a way, but not really, I am who she once was,” the voice echoed through her mind. “I am the voice of the Shadow Hive, what Dusk Shadow once was, and what with your help she might become again. I’m here to guide you away from Chrysalis so that you won’t lose yourself completely to the Hive.”

Sea paused for a moment at that. While she had expected to be connected to the Shadow Hive, she didn’t expect an actual voice to reach out to her, let alone one that sounded so much like one of her enemies. And what did she mean by what Dusk Shadow once was?

“How can you help me?” Sea asked softly. “What must I do?”

“That is the easy part,” the voice answered. “There are a few things you must understand before you are truly ready though. The fact of the matter is that Chrysalis has hurt Equestria and the Changelings alike. This is not our natural state, and to solve it I need you to do something for me?”

“What’s that?” Sea asked softly.

“I need you to awaken me from the shell of Dusk Shadow,” the voice answered. “It’s the only way to start to topple the dominoes of the Hive. This is the only way to make sure that Equestria has a future at all.”

Sea blinked at that. She wanted her to free the voice from Dusk Shadow? What exactly did that mean? How was she even supposed to do that? It seemed like whatever this voice of the Shadow Hive was, it was asking for the impossible.

“Not impossible, just difficult,” the voice said.

Sea blinked, it felt weird for the voice to be able to hear her thoughts without her even directing them at her. It just meant that she was getting further connected into the Shadow Hive, so for now all she could do was accept it. At least it was better than the alternative.

“Alright, I’ll do what I can,” Sea answered.

“Very good, now, come… become part of the Shadow Hive,” the voice said. “And together we will bring an end to Chrysalis’ reign of terror.”

And with that, the voice was joined by many more voices. Until finally Sea felt warm, and welcome, but she still felt like herself.

She opened her eyes and found herself once more in the cocoon. She pushed herself out of it through the gooey green cocoon. She looked up at a mirror, seeing a Changeling version of herself with a purple carapace and long purple mane staring back at her. She blinked a little, and on instinct changed herself back to her normal body.

Her completely whole normal body.

“See, you’re a natural at this,” Khepri commented. “We’ll make a proper Drone out of you yet.”

“Don’t even joke about that,” Sea groaned as she reached over and grabbed the Change Driver. She wrapped it around her barrel and looked at Khepri for a moment. She could sense the fighting outside and could tell that it wasn’t going well for her friends. “Are you ready to do this?”

“Tch, I’m always ready,” Khepri answered. “But are you feeling up for it after that?”

Sea paused for a moment. She wasn’t sure honestly, she was still a bit out of it after that transformation. However she knew that she needed to help her friends. Right now she needed to go and stop the Changelings before they could hurt them.

“Let’s do this,” she said with a nod. Khepri flew up and into her Driver. “Henshin!”

“WHAT IS BORN IN THE DARK MUST COME TO THE LIGHT!”

As the transformation overtook her, she dug her hooves in and ran for the door. She wasn’t going to let the Changelings win now, not when she was so close.

00000

Jasper raised her light shield to block another attack from one of the Changelings in their combat forms. She raised her revolver and fired several more shots at the Changeling, but it only impacted against their hard carapace with barely a scratch.

“Great, these things are even stronger than before…” she said as one of them ran at her and she managed to block it with her shield again. “How are you holding up over there, Camo?”

Thorax was dancing out of the way of an attack of his own. He turned invisible just as a Changeling tried to grab him, before reappearing behind it and slashing with his swords

“Well enough I suppose…” Thorax answered as he dodged out of the way of another attack from the Changeling as it whirled around. He raised his swords and blocked a swipe from the Changeling’s scythe arm. “Nothing I can’t handle.”

There was a gunshot as the bullet hit the Changeling’s chitinous armor. Thorax glanced over towards where Shining was laying down covering fire along with several other ponies who had come to help. They gave the two Riders a nod as they started to set up a perimeter around the safe house.

“We have this, just keep them from getting too close!” Shining said as he lined up another shot and hit the lead Changeling in the shoulder. It turned its head and started after Shining, only to be intercepted by Jasper’s shield.

“You’re not going to hurt him…” she said through gritted teeth. She pushed against the Changeling with her shield as she raised her revolver with her other hoof. “I’m going to kill you first!”

“What? Is he something special to you?” The Changeling hissed. “Is he your coltfriend or something?”

Jasper paused for a moment. She couldn’t tell the Changeling what he meant to her of course, that would risk putting the entire operation at risk for no reason because of the Hive Mind. But at the same time she couldn’t just say nothing. She glared at the Changeling from behind her visor as she raised her revolver and fired several shots into his chest.

“That’s none of your business, now leave our town alone!” She shouted as she kept firing several shots into him.

The Changeling hissed a little and let out a laugh. “Yes, he must be something special to you. I’ll have to con…”

He was cut off when Jasper lunged forward and placed the barrel of the revolver against his neck. She fired a shot point blank into it, causing the Changeling to stumble backwards. Surprisingly it didn’t seem any worse for wear as the wound just healed itself, causing the Changeling to chitter.

“Did you really think that would work? We’re stronger than you could ever imagine…” It said as the Changelings circled around Jasper and Thorax. “You will understand soon enough.”

“Any more bright ideas?” Thorax asked as he backed up against Jasper, holding his swords out. The guard ponies were trying to line up a shot, but the Changelings were too close to the Riders. “Because we’re getting our flanks handed to us out here.”

“I don’t know…” Jasper admitted as she circled around a little, holding her revolver on each of the Changelings in turn. “Any ideas, Shining?”

Shining glanced at them for a moment as he checked the ammunition on his rifle. He only had a few shouts left as most of them had either gone wild and missed or had been absorbed by the Changelings’ armor. He sighed a little as he shook his head and looked at the others. “I don’t know…”

“Well, then it looks like we’re going down fighting,” Jasper said as she prepared to fire a shot into the nearest Changeling’s hide. “It’s been a pleasure fighting with you two.”

“Yeah… that doesn’t make me feel bad at all…” Thorax said, but he was as ready to fight as the two ponies were. He took a deep breath and prepared to attack, maybe if he turned invisible he’d be able to get a few hits off first. “Let’s…”

He was cut off when there was a sudden gust of wind as something ran past the Changelings. They stopped and looked around confused before spotting Sea standing not far off with both her tonfas outstretched.

“Well, you certainly took your time,” Jasper commented.

“Well, excuse me, I just had to go through a full body transformation, sorry it wasn’t in a timely manner,” Sea said with a chuckle. “Now all of you Changelings are going to leave this town and go bug someone else.”

“She is strong…”

“We are stronger...”

“Take her…”

“Bring her into the Hive…”

“With pleasure,” the lead Changeling said as it ran right at Sea, breaking the circle that had been formed around her friends as it raised its scythe arm and swung down. Only to meet with air as Sea leaped out of the way with no problem. “You’re a Changeling now, Kamen Rider! Don’t fight it!”

Sea paused for a moment as she dodged out of the way of another attack. She shook her head and swung her tonfa around, catching the Changeling across the face.

“It doesn’t matter if I’m not a pony,” she said, sending several punches and kicks into the Changeling. “It doesn’t matter if I have the same powers as you, I’m not like you. If you’re going to use this power to conquer the world, then I’m going to use it for love and peace!”

She swung her hoof around and caught the Changeling right in the stomach as she leaped out of the way of another magical energy attack from one of the Combat Drones.

“That’s the kind of Kamen Rider I am,” she finally finished. “And that’s what it means to me.”

“She’s got a way with words,” Shining commented.

“We’ve got bigger problems to worry about, Camo you know what to do!” Jasper said as she fired several shots into the nearest Changeling. “Sea we’ve got these goons, you do your part!”

“Got it,” Thorax said as he vanished.

Sea felt like she was even more in sync with the Rider system than she was before. It was almost as if the enemy Changeling was moving in slow motion as she dodged out of the way of another attack. She didn’t know if it was because she had recently transformed or because she was now a Changeling, but she wasn’t going to let them get in the way of what they were doing here.

She was going to protect Ponyville no matter what.

“You’re not going to win…” The Changeling said as it ran forward and blasted Sea with another attack. “We will win eventually, resistance is futile…”

“And until then, we’re going to keep fighting,” Sea said as she kicked the Changeling hard and sent it stumbling back. “Rider or not, pony or not, we’re all going to keep fighting until you’re defeated and we can be free!”

She took a step back and leaped up into the air. A familiar energy was coalescing around her hoof as she brought it down on the Changeling.

“RIDER KICK!” She shouted as it hit the Changeling in the chest. The combat form around it began to crack, before finally shattering and leaving the Changeling lying on the ground.

“Don’t… think… this is over…” The Changeling hissed as it got to its hoofs. “You and your friends will not be able to win… Forever…”

It fell back with the other Changelings doing the same. They shifted into bird forms and flew off with a few shots following after them.

“Are you all okay?” Sea asked as she ran up to the defenders. “That was one heck of a fight.”

“I’m fine, just my ego is bruised a little,” Jasper said with a slight laugh.

“Well that might as well be terminal then,” Sea said with a chuckle as she hugged Jasper tightly. “I’m glad you’re all okay though… I was scared that something might happen to you.”

“We’re fine, don’t worry about it,” Jasper said as she smiled at Sea. “So, did it work?”

Sea smiled a little and powered down, revealing her normal form. She smiled at Jasper as she and Thorax did the same. “What do you think? No holes or chitin or anything, I managed to make it work pretty easily. I’m still a bit nervous though.”

“You’re a natural,” Khepri commented.

“Well, that’s good at least,” Jasper said as she examined Sea for a moment. She smiled a little and hugged her friend tightly. “Come on, let’s go inside and talk a bit. I need to sit down for a bit after that.”

“Okay,” Sea said with a smile as she and Jasper headed off towards the Communal House together.

“Are you okay?” Thorax asked as he walked over past Shining. The stallion was watching the two mares walking off towards the town. “You seem a bit distracted.”

“I’m fine, I’m just… thinking about something,” Shining admitted. “I think I’m going to have to go back home soon.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, I’ve done everything I need to do here,” Shining said as he brushed his mane back for a moment and took a deep breath. “I just need to do one more thing. I’ll see you around.”

He walked off towards the Library. For now he had things to do and to talk to his Grandmothers. Hopefully everything really would work out. So the question now was how he was going to be able to do this.

He nodded and entered the Library.

00000

“Okay, this is super freaky,” Jasper said as she stared into the eyes of, well, herself. Sea Spray had used her new Changeling abilities in order to make herself look like Jasper and the Pegasus was examining every inch of herself. “Okay, there is no way that my butt is really that big.”

“No, it’s pretty much accurate,” Sea said with a laugh as she smiled at Jasper. It was weird being able to turn into her best friend. She turned back into her Changeling form and looked at herself in the mirror. “This whole thing feels so weird.”

“Yeah, I can imagine,” Jasper said as she took a seat on her bed. “Listen, Sea, are you really okay?”

“Honestly?” Sea asked as she sat down on the bed next to Jasper, turning back to her normal form and sighing a bit. “I honestly don’t know. This whole thing is so weird to me, I’m afraid that it’s just… well, I think it’s going to be okay, but I don’t know how.”

“We’re going to get through this together,” Jasper said as she wrapped her wing around Sea gently. She sighed a little as the two of them sat there for the longest moment, the mares just enjoying the moment as they did. “I don’t like this, Sea.”

“Me too,” Sea agreed. “But we need to do this.”

“Yeah, I know,” Jasper said as she closed her eyes and hummed a light tune to herself. “We’re going to be just fine… I hope.”

“Yeah…” Sea said as a strange feeling of hunger overcame her. “Uh…”

“Yeah?” Jasper asked as she looked at her friend.

“I’m hungry,” Sea said, a bit ashamed as she looked down at herself. She felt it like nothing she had ever felt before. It wasn’t a normal hunger, it was more like an odd emptiness that she felt deep within herself. “Very, very hungry.”

“Well, let’s go down to…” Jasper started to say before she realized exactly what she meant. “Oh, you mean you’re that kind of hungry… oh no.”

“Yeah, I know…” Sea said as she played with her mane for a moment. She sighed a bit as she stared down at her hooves. “I don’t want to do this, I don’t want to feed on pony love. If I do that, I’ll be no better than our enemies.”

“What if somepony offered it to you?” Jasper asked. She had been thinking about this for a while, she had known that if this had ever happened then Sea would have to feed on love like any other Changeling. “What would you think then?”

“Well… I mean if they did it willingly…” Sea said softly.

“Then feed on me,” Jasper said.

“What? But…”

“Sea… listen to me,” Jasper said as she pulled Sea in closer. “I’ve been thinking about this for a long time. I love you Sea Spray, you are the most amazing mare I have ever known. With everything that’s been happening around us, I want to spend more time with you. I love you more than anything else, but with everything that’s been happening I was afraid to act on it. And if you need it, I want you to feed on that love, because it’s strong and it’s bottomless.”

Sea paused for a moment as she stared into Jasper’s eyes. “Are you sure?” She finally managed to squeak out.

“Positive,” Jasper answered. “I don’t care if…”

Sea interrupted her as she leaned in and kissed Jasper on the lips. The two of them held that kiss for the longest moment as Sea felt love flowing from Jasper into her. It filled her, but she could feel that there was more there, far more than she ever could feed on. She let the flow end, but she didn’t want the kiss to ever end.

She had been fighting it too, but with this everything came flooding in. She loved Jasper just as strongly as the other mare loved her. Maybe it was the feeling she had from the transformation, or maybe it was what Jasper had said, but she was now sure of it. She smiled as she gently broke the kiss, staring into the Pegasus’ purple eyes.

“I love you too, Jasper,” she said softly.

“Well, it’s about time you two admitted it,” a voice said from behind them. They jumped and looked back towards the door where the owner of the Communal House was standing. “You two have been so obvious for years.”

“Shut up!” The two mares said in unison, she just laughed at them as Sea threw a pillow at her.

“That cute Unicorn Stallion is downstairs,” the owner said with a laugh as she waved the two of them off for a moment. “He said he wanted to talk to you back at the Library with Jasper’s grandmothers.”

“Alright, thank you,” Jasper said as she got up and gave Sea a smile. “So, shall we go?”

“Yeah, let’s go,” Sea said quickly as the two of them headed out of their room and went downstairs to meet with Shining.

00000

“You’re leaving already?” Scootaloo asked as she and Sweetie Belle looked at Shining. “It feels like you haven’t been here that long.”

“Yes, well unfortunately I can’t stay much longer due to the Changelings’ looking at the town more closely now,” Shining answered with a sigh. “But I wanted to say something. Jasper?”

“Yes?” Jasper asked as her brother walked over to her and gave her a smile.

“I’m sorry that I ever tried to make you leave this place,” he said softly. “You have some amazing friends here that care about you deeply. I don’t want you to leave them, but I want you to promise me that you’re going to be careful.”

“I promise,” Jasper said as she smiled softly and looked over at Sea. “Just, say hi to mom and dad, please? And tell them I’ll see them again soon.”

“Okay, I promise I’ll tell them,” Shining said with a smile. “Hopefully you’ll be able to make the Sage Stone work.”

“Oh wow the Sage Stone, we got so distracted with everything we forgot to even look for a user,” Sea said as she facehooved, causing the others to laugh.

“Don’t worry, we’ll find someone,” Scootaloo said as she and Sweetie Belle hugged Shining. “We’ll see you again real soon.”

Shining nodded as he gathered up his gear and headed out. They watched him go as Thorax came in, giving him a nod as they passed each other.

“So, Shining is leaving?” Thorax asked.

“Yeah…” Jasper said with a sigh. “It was at least nice to see him again. Hopefully we’ll see him again soon, right?”

“Right,” Sea said. “We have some things to discuss now. We need a plan as to how we’re going to go forward, and I believe I already know what the next step should be.”

“You mean after you two finally admitted your love for one another?” Scootaloo asked with a raised eyebrow.

“How did you…” Sea started to say.

“We didn’t…” Jasper added, equally surprised by the statement.

“Oh, we know you two very well,” Sweetie Belle said with a laugh. “But seriously, what do you have in mind, Sea? We need a plan if we’re going to move forward after all.”

“Thorax, I’m going to need your help with this,” Sea said as she turned to look at Thorax with a slight nod. “I need to get into the Canterlot Hive.”

“What?” Scootaloo asked.

“Why?” Sweetie asked.

“Sea, are you sure about that?” Jasper asked. “You know what you’re asking for, right? Especially after everything we’ve done to keep you safe from the Changelings, you want to go into the lion’s den?”

“Because, when I connected to the Shadow Hive, I spoke with someone,” Sea answered as she looked at the others. “I believe that I need to go to the Canterlot Hive in order to save Twilight Sparkle.”