Team Star

Sunset stood still, her magic was impressive, but what had really impressed Celestia was her fire. The ability to cast herself into flames and retain no injuries. That was what she had wanted her for several years prior; and still what she’d wanted her for now.

Starlight was a skilled magician. Able to cast spells only the most advanced unicorns could manage, and from an early age. She reminded her Professor a lot of her existing pupils. One Cadence, Twilight Sparkle, or even Sunset Shimmer. It was no wonder to any pony that Starlight would be chosen.

Rarity came from humble beginnings. Though, her skilled designing reputation preceded her. Where she lacked in power she made up for in creativity. Her armor designs were fashionable and functional. Protecting their wearers from barrages of damage.

Pinkie Pie had lived on a rock farm for much of her life. Though, by pure happenstance, she was struck by the bug of chaos. With a strange sense about her, and her jittery quick-witted nature, it was almost as if she knew something about the universe no pony else did.

Rainbow Dash was the most skilled flier in Cloudsdale. This much, has been said before, but her true talent was bending the light in what was dubbed a “Sonic-rainboom”. Her speed was impressive, of course, but her true feats come from the blast of energy that only she could create.

Fluttershy would have never come to the school had it not been for Rainbow Dash. This was never her dream, but Celestia had insisted that they would come as a pair. For, Fluttershy had a skill, a very uncommon one at that. It was referred to only as “the stare”. This talent gave her the ability to stop any creature in their tracks. Albeit only for a short time.

Apple Jack was as clear as they came. From a strong family background, her power came from her undeniable physical strength. She was as strong as she was smart, and never shied away from a fight… even one she couldn’t win.

“I used to be… different.” Trixie lamented, in the gymnasium for the first time in what felt like forever. “I feel like since I’ve taken this power, it’s overcome me. I don’t feel like myself anymore.”

Rarity patted her teammate gently on the back in an attempt at comforting her. “Oh darling, when was the last time you’d truly felt as yourself?”

Trixie’s mind reeled. She thought back to days when she’d only just received the power of the Winter Maiden. Recalling how her friends had suggested she treat the training as one of her magic shows. “I guess… when I was trying to pretend the Maiden powers were… tricks?”

Starlight tapped her hoof. “So then, that’s what we’ll do.” She replied. “We’ll treat this training like a rehearsal, and when the time comes to actually fight… we’ll put on a show.”

“No offense, but… I’m not sure playing around is the best way to handle… oh- I don’t know, a power-hungry presumed-changeling, on the prowl and ready to attack.” Rainbow interjected. Everyone sighed at her clear lack and recognition of social cues. “What? I’m just saying.”

“Well the both of ya are right.” Apple Jack chimed in. “Starlight there’s right about us all need’n to make Trixie real comfortable, but Rainbow here’s right about the real serious nature of it all”

Sunset held up her hoof to stop them. “We aren’t questioning whether or not this is serious.” She swallowed, team leader, yet she hadn’t felt like a leader in ages. “Let’s try it Trixie’s way… and we can work around our qualms when we get to them.”

“But-“ Rainbow blurted, immediately met with Apple Jack’s hoof covering her blabbering mouth.

News of the lockdown caused a quiet sense of panic through the school grounds. Shining Armor was a student, yes, but also the incumbent for the position of Captain of the Royal Guard. So, as both a student, and future Captain; it was his duty to know when a lockdown was necessary.

“To your dorms, all students are to stay in their dorms until further notice. Any pony found to be off campus will be issued a citation. Any pony not permitted to be on campus, will be placed under arrest.”

Students and Changelings alike fled into the building. The changeling army was smart, easily blending in with the chaotic crowd. Though, unlike the ponies they’d assumed the identities of, they did not have a dorm to return to.

Some were lucky, lucky enough that a friend would ‘recognize’. Lucky enough to have taken the role of somepony who was off campus for the day.

Others were not so lucky. It became evident that some ponies were duplicates… unusual… unheard of.

“Changeling!” The word rang out, through the echoing halls until it was certain that every pony within the school had heard it.

If there were one changeling… there were undoubtedly already more hiding in plain sight. More, even more, waiting to be let in.

“A changeling? Inside my school?” Celestia asked. It was almost a convincing fit of disbelief. Though, how this could’ve taken her by surprise was unfathomable.

“I hate to say it.” Cadence mumbled coldly. Earning glared daggers from the sisters. “Well, I hate to say! You two have sat idly by while Starswirl brought that creature here… several times… not seeing her as a threat, though I and everypony else could see this exact scenario playing out… weeks ago.” Her voice was more stern now, unafraid of their disapproval. “And your ancient feud with Starswirl clouded your judgement. You two want so badly to prove you’re better than him? Why?” Her breath hitched “At what cost! At ignoring a blatantly obvious threat to the school to focus on some old warlock who could keel over at any moment?”

Celestia’s eyes narrowed. “He is a larger threat than you know. His thirst for power is unquenchable. So I apologize if we did not handle everything to your liking, but if you knew even a fraction of his capabilities… you would have done the same.”

“No. I don’t think I would.” Cadence said coldly as she bolted away- Presumably to find her team, because unlike the princesses, she was not going to take this injustice lying down.

A lone changeling stood in the hall, surrounded by the hunters in training… what a pathetic sight. Though, it was not as simple as it may have appeared.

In the court yard, the swarm had begun. Enough of the bug-like creatures to replicate near-to-all of Celestia’s students buzzed their tiny wings. Over the wall, and forcibly through the royal guard and the backup guard made up of students.

The sunlit sky became dark, as the strange creatures cast their collective shadow over the school’s courtyard. He had asked Chrysalis and Starswirl to take the power of the Winter Maiden, of all the maidens, actually… and Chrysalis had tried her hand at a diplomatic solution…

Though, invasion was much more her style.

The incessant droning of the bugs filled the air, louder than the sound of sirens.

Trixie hopped from side to side, her get-up was sort of extravagant. Rarity had created it, she’d worn it before, it should’ve have felt as uncomfortable as it did.

“You are the last line of defense, do you hear me?” Starlight said sternly. “Please, just listen to me this time… okay?” She said, they pressed their foreheads together, staring gently into each other’s eyes. They knew each other well, and no matter how changed Trixie had felt, she couldn’t help but feel herself in that moment.

“No promises.” Trixie said, the old familiar smile creeping across her face.

“Hey, let’s get moving.” Sunset said awkwardly. “Stay here with Rarity, got it?”

Rarity trotted up to Trixie. She was not discouraged by her lack of fighting skill, she was proud to stand by Trixie in this fight.

The students did not stand around wasting time. After all, this was a school that taught fighting and defense.

But, many were ill equipped to fight this battle. With no preparation and varying levels of skill they were able to fend off only a portion of the invaders.

STAR and PARTY had divided their forces into teams of two. Trixie and Rarity, who had gone down toward the bunker. Fluttershy and Starlight, because well, someone needed to look out for Fluttershy. Sunset and Pinkie Pie, because they both seemed to have a genuine sense of intuition. And Rainbow Dash and Apple Jack, these two provided no reason for wanting to be together, other than simply just wanting to.

Rainbow and AJ were up first:

In an instant, the courtyard was silenced save for the sound of a zipping Pegasus, faster than even the fastest of creatures. Rainbow blasted through the cloud of changelings. Her speed and strength plowed through them, and just as fast as she’d hit them, she’d came back.

With her, the billowing light of her Sonic Rainboom. A blast so mighty it sent the on-winged changelings barreling to the ground. It was a fine distraction, a fine first-step.

“You there! Get back inside!” Flash Sentry shouted. Ever the protector, but also ever unnecessary.

Rainbow landed with her hooves skidding to a stop. “Why don’t you let a real Pegasus do the work, pretty boy.” She said rather sarcastically, stretching her wings to show their size.

Flash narrowed his eyes at the insult, in the end it was his job to protect as many ponies as he could… not necessarily to fight. So he turned back, rushing other ponies out of the courtyard.

Despite the rainboom creating some distance, the changeling army was unrelenting.

Try as she might, Apple Jack could only lasso or buck so many heads before the swarm simply pushed past her. Even with the other students and the school guard, there were just too many of them.

“Yes! Yes! They cannot stop us all, oh He will be so proud!” Chrysalis cackled, now dawning a new disguise. “The power of numbers and brute force! Skill and stature is for the meek ponies of Equestria.”

Starswirl sat with the crystal rocks caked around the tip of his horn. No matter what spell he thought to conjure, none was powerful enough. “You bring me here, but not to help me from this wretched curse.”

He laughed, his twisted disfigured body crawled but also slithered. He moved in a ‘S’ shape as He finally faced the old man. “You are so unkind, it is no wonder Celestia and Luna hold so much contempt for you.” He laughed a crooked little giggle.

“Well, they aren’t particularly fond of you either.” Starswirl rebutted.

“Oh but they once were.” He insisted, the fangs of his smile poking out over the bottom of his lip. “You know how easy it is to fall from grace, don’t you.”

Starswirl tapped his foot, it seemed he’d never really noticed. If ponies had ever disliked him, they’d never seemed to say. Though, would they have had the gall to say they hated someone supposedly so beloved? Even Celestia or Luna? “I suppose.”

“So, then let us watch your friends fail.” He laughed. “And then, perhaps I will give you a chance to redeem yourself.”

“My friend?” Starswirl wracked his brain trying to conjure the image of someone he considered a friend.

“The Changeling, or the Princesses… anyone, take your pick, they will all fail. That, my friend, is a promise.”