Taken

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“Does this look infected to you?” Snipes asked, holding up his bandaged hand for Pike to see.

“What? No. How the hell am I supposed to tell?” Pike replied, glancing over at Snipes’ hand for a second, “One: it’s bandaged, and two: you just got bit a few minutes ago, there wouldn’t be any sign of infection yet.”

Snipes sighed, “Nobody gets my references,” he muttered a little sadly.

The ponies were, piece by piece, putting the room back together as the two soldiers watched from the sidelines. The smaller creatures had made some progress, the room looked much more presentable than it had a few minutes ago.

“I wonder if the others are back yet. They missed out on all the fun,” Snipes said over TeamCom.

“They’d let us know over TeamCom when that happens,” Pike reasoned, “what the hell is taking them so long?”

“How the hell am I supposed to know?” Snipes replied with a smile, looking over at Pike smugly and getting a pair of rolled eyes as a prize, “either way, if they decided to go through a drive through or something then they’d better bring me something back.”

______________________________________________________________________________

(Mountains West of Ponyville)

Dice set his rifle down next to him, drawing a large knife in one fluid motion as he assessed Spotter’s injury.

“Know anything about this stuff?” he asked, poking at it with the knife.

“No. Try using your knife,” Spotter replied scanning through the smoke for any signs of changelings, Dice instantly dug his knife into the goop with an expert’s precision as and began to cut away.

There were occasional bursts of chittering from different directions, the sounds getting closer and closer with each chitter.

“Moving to your previous position, Dice,” Boss whispered into his comlink, “from there, flanking left. Stay quiet,” Boss began to creep to his left, towards where Dice had been hiding previously, scanning with his eye to his gunsight constantly for enemies.

“Boss?” Redneck’s voice asked back over the comlink, making the leader of Harbinger team want to smack himself for breaking comlink silence, “What’s going on? You guys in trouble?”

“Shit,” Boss muttered, not looking away from his weapon’s sight.

“Fine, be an asshole. We’ll catch up to you guys soon anyways.”

There was a crunch that sounded like a boot on a twig. Boss swiveled, dropping to a knee and finding a changeling in his sight. The changeling dove behind the cover of a tree, firing off a wild shot of goop that splattered against a tree harmlessly.

“They’re flanking us!” Boss called out, jumping behind a tree of his own.

“I’m working as fast as I can, Boss!” Dice yelled back.

Boss leaned around his cover, aiming at the tree that the changeling had taken cover behind. There was a spark of green in his peripheral vision and before he could react, his rifle was knocked away, sticking to a tree and covered in green goop.

“Fuck! My gun...” Boss turned in time to get knocked over by another changeling. The creature hissed in his face as it tried to pin him to the ground. Without hesitation, he drew his sidearm, tilting the weapon upwards and putting five bullets into the changeling, dropping the creature with a choked yelp of pain.

“What happened to your gun?” Dice called back as Boss shoved the body aside and got to his feet.

“Stuck to a fucking tree, how’s...” the other changeling poked its head around the tree and fired off a shot. The projectile struck Boss in the chest, knocking him off his feet. His head struck the ground hard, sending pain splintering through his skull. A black shape appeared before him, there was a flash of green, a spark of pain, and then everything went black.

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“Moving to your previous position, Dice; from there, flanking left. Stay quiet.”

“Boss?” Redneck asked, surprised to hear Boss’ voice over his comlink, “What’s going on? You guys in trouble?”

The group of Guards, Elements, and humans continued towards the smoke, alert and ready for anything. The trees grew more dense, blocking out most of the area a few tens of yards in front of them and making it all that more difficult to spot anything.

Redneck waited for a reply, but got none.

“Fine, be an asshole. We’ll catch up to you guys soon anyways,” he grumbled.

There was a rustling from some bushes off to one side. Immediately everyone in the group turned to face them, horns charged and trigger fingers ready where applicable. Fluttershy gave a squeak of fear and hopped behind Applejack, peeking over her friendly cover.

“Don’t worry, guys!” the pegasus from earlier said, hopping out and letting everyone relax a little, “Just me.”

“Fleet Wing?” the group’s unicorn leader asked, “What do you have to report?”

“It was just a campfire, couple of ponies cooking some stuff on a little trip. They said that they thought they saw something heading South-ish that might have been the...um...” he looked over at Redneck and Holey, “what do you call them, again?”

“Humans.”

“Right, humans,” Fleet Wing said, storing the information away for later, “anyways, they went thataway,” the pegasus pointed South with a hoof and hopped into the air, hovering, “So if you’ll follow me...”

“Fleet Wing, hold up a minute. I want to ask you something,” the group leader said.

“Yes?”

“What’s my name?”

Fleet Wing gave his superior an odd look, “Why do you...”

Without hesitation, the group leader charged up his horn and fired a concussive punch, hitting Fleet Wing right in the chest, knocking the air from his lungs and sending him falling groundwards. The pegasus hit the ground and, with a flash of green light, the changeling lost its disguise.

“Govno!” Holey exclaimed, raising his weapon.

“What the fuck?” Redneck concurred, raising his weapon as well.

Before the changeling could get back up, the group leader leapt forwards and pinned it to the ground. He brought his horn to bear, bringing the glowing tip into contact with the changeling’s skull. The changeling countered, catching the pony’s horn with its own glowing one.

There was a visible struggle for a few moments before the green glow was overcome by the unicorn’s yellow. The changeling yelped and went still, breathing slowed to the rhythm of sleep.

“What in the name of Celestia?” Puddle Jumper exclaimed.

“Oh...my...” Fluttershy mumbled.

“Quiet!” the group leader hissed, dropping low to the ground, “stay low. Jumper, get us back to Canterlot! Bring the changeling.”

Everyone dropped low, the humans included as they noted the ponies doing it.

Puddle Jumper nodded, horn igniting with magical light.

“Hey, wait just a galdarned minute!” Applejack exclaimed, albeit quietly and with an anxious look around her, “We can’t just leave Rainbow Dash behind!”

“We aren’t,” the group leader asserted, glaring at Puddle Jumper when he noted he had listened to Applejack and stopped preparing to cast the teleport spell, “we’re retreating and coming back with reinforcements! Fleet Wing, or...” the leader gestured to the unconscious changeling, “...that thing, was probably going to lead us into a trap, that means that there’s more of them around here, more than we can safely handle.”

“No! Don’t cast that spell!” Applejack asserted, pointing a hoof at Puddle Jumper, then to the leader, “We can’t leave Rainbow Dash to the changelings! She’s one of the Elements! By the time that we get back, she’ll already be gone! We can’t let that happen.”

“Ugh! Cast that spell, Jumper! She’s a civilian and I’m your commanding officer!” the leader turned to Applejack, annoyed look on his face, “be quiet, Element of Honesty, if we go after the Element of Loyalty now, the changelings will get you and the Element of Kindness as well! We can’t risk that!”

“I’m an Element of Harmony, I’m pretty sure I outrank him!” Applejack countered to Jumper before turning back on the group leader, “and we have names, you know! But listen, Fluttershy and I know these woods well enough, we can sneak around, find Rainbow, and get back to Canterlot before the changelings know we’re even here!”

“Jesus, what the flying fuck are they arguing about?” Redneck grumbled, eyeing the woods carefully.

“Don’t know, I just hope there aren’t any more of those fucking black things around here. Why the hell did it look like one of those flying ones with the armor?” Holey replied.

“Magic!” Redneck exclaimed sarcastically, shaking his head, “how the hell should I know?”

Holey just shrugged.

The leader considered for a moment, glancing around the ground around him as if some of the dead leaves and brown dirt might hold clues to the right answer.

“Star Shine, sir?” Jumper asked, looking a little nervous, horn glowing dully with pale light.

“No, we go to Canterlot. A sneak attack might work...but only if we knew the enemy’s whereabouts, and we don’t. If we move fast we can still maintain the element of surprise and return in force,” Star Shine said, “Cast the spell.”

“Oh, for pete’s sakes!” Applejack grumbled, getting to her hooves and stomping over to Star Shine, “Fine, you go and Fluttershy and I will stay here. I know for a fact that Rainbow Dash wouldn’t leave us, so I sure as hay am not gonna leave her!”

“You don’t have that choice!” Star Shine asserted, “now stay down, you’re making yourself a target by standing...” a blast of green goop hit Applejack from behind, knocking her into Star Shine and sticking them both to the ground.

Fluttershy let out an ‘eep!’ while the other two Guards and two humans let out curses in each of their respective tongues. One of the changeling’s legs kicked as if the creature was dreaming.

“Cast the spell now!” Star Shine yelled, squirming in the green goop.

“Charging!” Jumper replied.

A few stray shots of green goop shot through the trees, zipping over the pony’s heads. In a panic, Fluttershy bolted towards Applejack and Star Shine. A stray shot grazed her flank right before another caught her hind hoof, bringing her back down to the ground and knocking the breath from her lungs.

“Holy horseapples!” Jumper exclaimed.

“I’ll try to free her!” the one remaining Guard said, crawling towards Fluttershy, who squirmed and tugged against the goop around her leg.

“No time, casting the spell!” Jumper said. He released the charged spell and the free ponies and humans disappeared from the clearing with a blast of magical energy.

Fluttershy stopped struggling, ears falling flat against her skull and her pupils shrinking to pinpricks as she realized what had just happened.

“Um...well this is awkward,” Applejack mumbled as the sounds of buzzing wings grew louder throughout the forest.

Fluttershy whimpered.

______________________________________________________________________________

(Canterlot)

There was a blast of magical energy as the Guards, humans, and one out cold changeling reappeared in a Canterlot square.

The sun burned into Redneck’s eyes as his muscles tingled from the spell. Holey dry heaved, trying not to throw up.

“No, no, no, no, no!” Jumper exclaimed, hopping to his hooves and looking around with frightened eyes, confirming that they were the only ones who had made it.

The Royal Guard were still in the process of cleaning up after the attack, albeit almost done. A few Guards rushed over upon seeing the new group teleport in.

“What happened?” one Guard asked.

“Didn’t three of the Elements go with you? Where are they?” another added.

“We were attacked by changelings!” Jumper exclaimed, “they got the elements, Star Shine, Fleet Wing, and Convection Current!” his eyes widened as he realized something, “We need to get more Guards and go back after them! Now, before it’s too late!”

The first Guard that had spoken nodded, “Everyone spread out and get more Guards! We can’t let the changelings take the Elements! Puddle Jumper, wait here and watch the humans, we’ll be back shortly.”

The others nodded and each rushed off to get reinforcements.

“Oh, sweet Celestia, what have I done!” Jumper cried, “I shouldn't have left them there! I...I...”

“Fuck me!” Holey growled, “I swear, the next time one of those fucking horses does something like that...” he gagged again, trying to keep the contents of his stomach where they were.

“Ow, shit do I hate doing that!” Redneck growled, switching on his comlink as he and Holey got to their feet, “Snipes, Pike, report.”

“Well it’s nice to see you too, Reddy,” Snipes replied.

“We were going to grab the stuff, but encountered more of those changeling things. Done and dealt with, but they really trashed this place, might take some more time to get what we need,” Pike added.

“Oh yeah, and one of those fucking things bit me. They have really sharp teeth. How’re you holding up, find the three musketeers?” Snipes continued.

“Negative, last we heard of the others they were in some trouble. A minute later we got ambushed by a changeling...oh, and be advised, I think those things can change shape, or turn into friendlies. The one that got the jump on us was disguised as one of those flying ones. We got ambushed and then I guess one of them teleported, or whatever, us back here. I can only hope that they’re collecting more soldiers to...”

There was a soft click of hooves on the cobblestone streets, followed shortly by something that was a little less quiet.

SO THOU ARE THE HUMANS CELESTIA HATH TOLD US ABOUT.

“What the flying...” Holey began, the two humans cringing at the loud voice that was suddenly in their heads. They turned to see none other than Princess Luna standing before them.

Puddle Jumper gasped, immediately saluting the princess.

“And to whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?” Redneck asked, rubbing his ear as if someone had yelled in it, only to realize that that wouldn't help due to the fact that the voice was inside his head.

WE ARE PRINCESS LUNA OF EQUESTRIA, SISTER OF PRINCESS CELESTIA OF EQUESTRIA AND GUARDIAN OF THE MOON AND STARS.

“Okay, Princess Luna of Equestria,” Redneck said, “I assume that someone’s taking us back to get the rest of our team. So if you could kindly point us in...”

DO NOT FEAR, HUMANS, THE GUARD SHALT TAKE IT FROM HERE. OUR SISTER, PRINCESS CELESTIA, HAS REQUESTED YOUR PRESENCE. WE SHALT TAKE YOU THERE SHORTLY.

Redneck opened his mouth to reply, but a quick teleport spell silenced him and forced him to stumble backwards with an aching stomach as he found himself someplace new.

“Oh, for the love of god, will you fucking creatures stop doing that!” Holey yelled, dropping his rifle to clutch at his skull.

WATCH YOUR TONGUE, HUMAN! YOU ARE IN THE PRESENCE OF...

“Luna,” Celestia said, tone motherly as she sat upon her throne, “thank you for bringing the humans here, but would you mind toning your thought-voice down just a bit? We reserve the use of the Royal Canterlot Voice for times when the extra volume is actually needed, these days.”

“Apologies, sister,” Luna said, “we are still a bit out of date with the current times.”

“No need to apologize, I understand,” Celestia replied, “but please excuse the humans for their...” she glanced at the two in question, who were again recovering from mild teleport sickness, “...liberal application of foul language, I believe it may be a custom of theirs.”

“Oh,” said Luna, as the two ignited their horns.

“Okay, we’re here. Can you please make this quick, we’ve still gotta get the rest of our team,” Redneck began, noting that the princesses were casting their intercommunication spell, “those changeling things couldn’t have been there by accident or mere coincidence.”

I have tasked the Equestrian Royal Guard to handle this problem. We’ve dealt with the changelings before, and I feel that now that they have hostages, the situation calls for a less violent approach.

“Well then I’ll have to apologize for ruining your perfect little plan, Princess. If you think that I’m just going to sit here with my thumb up my ass, waiting for you...”

Redneck was cut off as the doors to the throne room burst open behind them, Twilight, Rarity, Pike, and Snipes rushing in. The first two of the quartet looked alarmed and anxious. Both Celestia and Luna stopped casting their translation spells, focusing on the two ponies who had just entered.

“We came as fast as we could, Princess!” Twilight exclaimed, “What happened to the others? Has the Guard found them yet? Why are the changelings attacking again? How did you know that they were...”

Celestia held up a single silencing hoof, quieting Twilight in a second.

“The Guard should have left moments ago, we can only hope that they’ll be able to get your friends back in time,” Celestia reassured calmly.

“Rarity and I need to go help them!” Twilight asserted, Rarity adding her vote with a nod, “We can...”

“I’m sorry, Twilight, but until further notice you and the rest of the Elements must remain here. I took an unnecessary risk in sending your friends to help in the first place, I cannot make that mistake again.”

“Well you guys sure got to the castle fast,” Snipes commented, joining Holey and Redneck with Pike, “you beat us and those damn ponies had us double timing like we were back in boot camp,” Snipes considered something for a moment, “though there was a lot less yelling...”

“Those damn horses teleported us again. Ugh,” Holey shuddered, “fucking hate that feeling.”

“We weren’t able to get anything yet,” Pike reported to Redneck, “some of the ones with armor practically threw us out after these two,” he gestured to Twilight and Rarity, “ran off. Not that we were going to find anything in that mess of a room anyways.”

“With all due respect, Princess Celestia, those are my friends that we’re talking about here! We can’t just leave them to...” Twilight tried again.

“You won’t be leaving them to anything but ponies who will try their hardest to get them back. The Guard shall not let us down, you’ll see,” Celestia intervened.

“But...”

“No ‘but’s’, Twilight,” Celestia calmly asserted, her tone ending any further argument while not sounding at all angry or otherwise violent, “Now...” she ignited her horn again, eyes closing in concentration.

Where were we...

Redneck turned from his comrades, facing the princess.

“There’s still three of my fellow soldiers out there unaccounted for, Princess,” Redneck said, pointing a finger towards a stained glass window for emphasis, “Just because a few of your guys got taken doesn’t mean that you get to kick us out of the fight.”

“What’s he saying?” Twilight whispered to Luna, who began to translate.

It does if ‘kicking you out’ ensures that none of my little ponies are harmed by your overzealous use of violent methodology.

“Them’s a lotta big words, big horsey lady,” Snipes said with a poor attempt at a southern drawl.

“Shut it, Snipes,” Pike hissed.

“Well, hey! If the big lady with the wings and head phallus wants to keep a group of Harbingers out of a hostage situation then don’t blame me if I don’t see it her way.”

“Head phallus!?” Twilight muttered, exchanging a perturbed look with Rarity, “is he implying...”

“Excuse me?” Redneck asked, turning on the team’s sniper, “that seems a rather different tune that you were tuting not an hour ago...”

“Yeah, because an hour ago we weren’t dealing with hostages, Reddy,” Snipes replied, “Harbingers don’t have that good a track record with delicate situations. It comes with the job description of ‘Harbingers don’t fucking exist’. We aren’t SWAT or SEALs, we’re the guys who come knocking when somebody higher up the food chain wants something illegal done without getting a bad rap.”

“That doesn’t mean we can’t be trusted not to fire on friendlies,” Redneck asserted, “and do I need to remind you that those friendlies are our own men? Boss, Spotter, and Dice are somewhere out there and we don’t know whether it’s in enemy hands or not,” Redneck took a step forwards, pointing an accusatory finger, “do you think Spotter would do something like this? Would he just ditch you because of your so-called ‘job description’.”

Snipes crossed his arms, “Would Boss?”

“Would Dice?” Redneck growled.

Would both of you please step away from each other and calm yourselves so that we may discuss this peacefully?

Celestia interdicted.

Snipes and Redneck held a glaring contest for a few moments before Snipes uncrossed his arms.

“Sure,” he took a step back. Redneck glared for a second longer before relaxing his stance and turning back towards the Princess.

“Fine,” Redneck added, “let’s discuss this peacefully.”

Author's Note

No special thingies that I can think of for this chapter. <Yay!)