Blue, part two: A shattered country

"Move, move move!" a pony in black uniform shouted. In retrospect, making their uniforms black was not the wisest thing when combating changelings. Two more ponies ducked behind the cover he was hiding at, while he provided cover in form of rapid bursts of magic.

"Damn, we're not getting paid enough for this." one of them wheezed. The other stared at him in surprise.

"You get paid?!"

"Focus, guys! We're sitting ducks here!"

True, they were stranded behind a large rock, risking getting flanked if they tried to retreat, but at least they could defend this posi—crap. Four changeling drones got behind them, lead by a larger, sturdier changeling.

"No prisoners." he hissed. The three ponies took a defensive formation—two of them didn't even have weapons, and readied themselves for the worst. Before the pouncing began, however, the changeling officer was hit by a large rock, sending him flying into a wall. The drones turned around in confusion, allowing an orange-black blur to leap between them. The pony rose to her front hooves, taking the classic bucking position, when a blade sprung from both of her hind hooves. Like a whirlwind of death, she spun and kicked, until the four drones were nothing more than glorified chunks of black and green.

The three soldiers watched in awe as the blades slowly retracted into a hilt strapped to her legs, becoming smaller and smaller, until they fit their matchbox-sized container. She snorted victoriously.

"Serves ya right, soulless bastards! 'Ey, Prince Charmin'! I win, four to one!"

A white unicorn stepped out from the dark, carrying an unconscious changeling with him. The strike team recognised Prince Redblood immediately.

"I was going for quality over quantity, myself." He looked at the foot soldiers. "Restrain this changeling, and retreat to our camp north. It will be questioned later."

One of them gathered his courage to actually pose him a question.

"Sir, will you two be all right?"

The prince looked at the tunnel in which Applejack already disappeared to.

"I believe we are more than adequate. Go and rendezvous with the others."

The soldier nodded, eager to leave after his comrades. Redblood galloped after Applejack, grumbling to himself.

"I swear that I will strangle her someday."

__________________________________________________________________________________

So beautiful. My prize. My prizes. You are with me now, forever and ever.

So pretty. So desireable. So... defenseless. Must contain myself. Yes, yes. Must have willpower.

And you, my love... will be here... with me. You will bear me a child.

I own you.

_________________________________________________________________________________

"Ugh! I'm covered in changeling! Did you really have to chuck it's head at me?!"

"Ah found it amusin', tah be honest."

Two ponies trotted towards the perimeter camp of the CFF, set up only temporarily, until reinforcements arrive from the Royal Guard. Temporal or not, the ponies kept tight watch, alert for any dangers. The ones with guard duty let out a relieved sigh when they recognised their leaders, covered in green goo.

"Welcome back, Ma'am, Sir!"

"Idiot!" Redblood snapped. "Check if we're changelings!"

The guard gulped, and cast the protocol spell, designed to reveal hiding changelings. After the test, only a grumbling stallion, and a smirking mare remained, further assuring the guard they were indeed his bosses.

"Never assume it is us, until you check, private!" the prince barked. "Now, let us on our way."

The guard nodded, and was quick to get out of their sight. Applejack and Redblood trotted inside the large strategy tent, sporting a detailed map of the borders with the Badlands. Many years ago, it was considered a part of Equestria, but it's harsh climate and lack of water surplus made it undesireable for expansion. It served now as a neutral area... and also the home of the changeling race. All across the Badlands, several markers were placed where intelligence suggested hives. With this particular one down, no forward changeling base existed in Equestria.

"Yuck. I need a bath. Preferably acid. This smell is never going to go away!"

"Oh, juss' sleep it off, ya hussy!" the orange earth pony replied. The prince looked at her angrily.

"Stop making fun of me!"

"What ma'ight you speak'st of, o prince?"

"First, I know you don't have an accent like that. You're just doing it to get on my nerves."

"Eyyy, wut accen' yer Majessy? Ah'm juss' a' simplah' fa'm poneh'! Tarry mah jinglemangs!"

A muscle started twitching under the stallion's eye.

"Two can play that game."

"I say," he began, clearing his throat, "what is the meaning of this insignificant peasant putting herself in the limelight? I require she be bathed, and her mouth be washed of the filth she spews with it! Give her a bit, and send her back to the primitive tribe she came from! Quick, before her poorness infests this place!"

Applejack gave him an annoyed look.

"Not. Funny," she hissed.

"You reap what you sow, to use an appropriate metaphor. Now can we please concentrate on the important tasks?"

"...Fine."

Redblood stepped closer to the map.

"See here, just about a mile from this hive. This is a critical choke point; if we station enough soldiers from the army here, we'll make this pass impregnable from south."

"Couldn't they just, Ah don't know, fly over the whole damn thing?" Applejack pointed out. Redblood nodded.

"Normally, yes, but I requested flight disturbers from R&D. They told me that about five of them are sufficient for a fifty mile long defensive perimeter. What is better, they assured me it only works on changelings, and our own troops are undisturbed by it. With luck, the reinforcements arrive shortly, and we can leave this place."

"Y'know what? Ya have more brains Ah gave ya credit for."

"...Do you always insult ponies that bluntly, or are you just keeping it for me?"

"Honesty, remember? Besides, Ah don't know what tah think anymore."

Redblood cocked an eyebrow.

"Unsure? You seemed pretty determined while kicking bug flank."

Applejack waved angrily.

"Look, Ah'm not gonna share my problems with ya, Ah'll manage."

"Yes, I am sure that worked out in your past as well. Coughapplebuckseasoncough."

The mare looked bemusedly at him, stepping closer in a threatening manner.

"First, ya don't say 'cough', ya cough, ya moron! Second, where the hay did you hear 'bout that?!"

The stallion returned her icy glare, albeit with less antagonising.

"Simple. Before I applied for the vice-captain's position, Aunt Celestia gave me a brief summary about you, and your abilities. She mentioned that as an example of your thick-headedness." He paused. "Even so, your determination is something I... Well, to put it simply, respect. And besides—"

A small rustling noise came from the tent's entrance. Both ponies looked there, and saw a CFF trooper enter with two cups and a teapot balanced on her head. She carefully trotted to the map desk, and set it down near the edge of Canterlot.

"Sir, I've brought some tea. What are our orders for the night?"

"Keep a tight watch. I don't expect retaliation, but maybe they are desperate enough to try it. Guards should alert us at the least movement. If nothing is wrong, however, I'd like to remain undisturbed."

"As you wish."

The prince watched the mare leave, unaware that Applejack was in turn eyeing him. When he turned back, he came muzzle-to-muzzle with a staring earth pony. He recoiled a bit, shifting nervously.

"...Is there something on my face?" he joked, trying to ease the mood.

"How could Ah be sure if Ah can trust ya? Ya have a bad reputation, and Ah saw you were a jerk with Rarity."

"Sweet sunrise, we have been working together for a month now!"

"Yeah, an' the last time Ah trusted somepony Ah've known for years, an' she killed mah sister. It takes more than time, Prince Charming."

"...Please don't use my first name."

"Charming, Charming, Charming! How come Ah'm not charmed, eh?" she intoned sarcastically.

"Look, just... I want to help you."

"Ya? Helpin' me? Out of your heart's goodwill? What is this, a joke?" she growled, stomping the ground furiously. He also raised his voice.

"What is your problem? You just shoot me down, even though you know nothing about—"

"Nothing? Nothing?! Ah tell ya who doesn't know a thing: YA! Do ya have any idea what it's like to lose half of your family?! Do ya have any idea what is it like to be abandoned by your own family?! Not one of them, not a single one of them offered to help us out in these hard times! Mah brother's started drinking, and we got into a fight over it! In the end, Ah left our family's farm, to pursue vengeance! There! Happy?!"

She was trembling with suppressed emotions. The prince did the single most bravest thing in his life: he stepped closer, and awkwardly patted her shoulder. The gesture surprised the orange mare, having the intended soothing effect on her.

"Ah... Ah'm sorry."

"Beg your pardon?"

"Ah'm sorry. Ah've been really reckless an' mean, 'specially to ya all this time. Maybe ya do mean what ya said." She repressed a yawn. "Heck, Ah'm gettin' awful tired. Can we continue this tomorrow?"

The stallion nodded.

"Of course. Let's ask the ones making camp where our respective tents are."

They left the strategic tent, going straight to the lodging officer. He quickly pointed them to the commander's tent. Which was one tent. Not two. The two commanders stared at the two-pony sized sleeping bag inside. Finally, Redblood spoke up.

"Well, crud. I guess I'll just be over there, sleeping in the mud."

"Oh c'mon, ya wuss. Ya can bear the smell for a night, so juss' come 'n sleep."

The stallion stared at her blankly.

"I was thinking about your good reputation. What would our soldiers say if they saw you sleeping in the same tent as a stallion?"

"Prob'bly nothin'. Or somethin' along the lines of 'Woooo', Ah think."

"Point taken. I give you my word that I will not attempt to behave ungentlecoltly."

"Hah!" Applejack snorted. "Ah doubt ya could, even if ya tried."

"Believe me, I could, I just choose not to."

"Big words, comin' from a frail unicorn."

Redblood started to lose his temper.

"Are you implying that I should make advances on you?"

"Do the what now?"

"Arrrrrgh! Look, this side is mine, and that is yours, and we'll both keep to our sides! Agreed?"

Applejack spat in her hoof, and extended it towards the disgusted prince.

"Looks like ya got a deal, pardner!"

"Ugh! You..."

"It's not like ya aren't covered in changeling innards." Applejack reminded him. Redblood sighed, then accepted her hoof. This is going to be a long night.

_________________________________________________________________________________

In Canterlot, three ponies were worrying about the opposite. The night's so short for a breakout, especially if the target is guarded by Royal Guards. Thankfully, at least Shining knew them well.

"All right, now you know what to look for. Got everything?"

"Nearly," Vinyl answered. "What I don't understand is why do I have to go to inspect the situation?"

"Because they don't know you. I am widely known in the ranks of the Night Guard and the Royal Guard, not to mention several government organisations. And Rainbow... well... she's not exactly one for subtlety."

"Fine, fine. I'll reconnaissance the crap out of them! I believe the correct term is 'Watch in awe.'"

_______________________________________________________________________________

The guards stationed before the Fancypants mansion were bored. Such a fine night, with calm moonlight shining down upon them, and they have to guard a drunken noble, who at least had the decency of providing them with warm coats. There were two of them near the front door; both of them considering the whole assignment pointless. Sure, blue ponies were gathered everywhere, but Fancypants was taken into custody long before the law was passed, right? So, either let him go, or haul him off to Azure City with the others. This pretentious respect of nobility only served as a waste of four perfectly good soldiers. That's right, their commanding officer, a corporal, only assigned four ponies to guard this whole damn mansion. While it at least reduced the waste of ponypower, if the owner of this estate really wanted to escape, he could do so with little effort; a building this big cannot be realistically be isolated with four ponies. Superiors...

Suddenly, they sprung to alarm. Some weird nose could be heard from the adjoining street. The guards looked at each other, and readied their spears. As the sound became louder, they could also hear some mumbling going along with it.

"I was sure I turned right there... Where is it? Arrrrrrgh!"

The guards raised their eyebrows. Not the sounds a cold-blooded assasin would make. Still, they stood alert, until a red unicorn witch cropped neon green mane came out, holding a map in her magical grip. She looked increasingly distressed, often glancing around, searching for something. Noticing the two guards, she ran up to them with a wide smile.

"Oh, thank Celestia! Guard dudes, you do not know how relieved I am to see you!"

The guards shared a confused look. What exactly was this mare doing here in the middle of the night?

"What are you doing here in the middle of the night, Miss?" one of them asked.

"Oh, don't even get me started on that!" she groaned furiously. "So there's this bar, the Bearded Mare, serving some pretty good stuff, and being a great place to hang out. 'Xcept, y'know, I'm a tourist from Vanhoover, and I have absolutely no idea how to get around here! I've been wandering this district for at least half an hour now! But now, I found you, and maybe you can explain this damn map for me!"

"Sure thing, Miss," the guard said, stepping forward. "Where would you like to go?"

The unicorn gave him a cheeky glance.

"Assertiveness! I like that!" She turned to a more serious tone. "Now, the place I have a room at is 'The Lion's Mane' inn."

"Oh, that's about a ten minute walk from here. I can—" he turned back to his partner. "Say, Torch, do you mind if I'm gone for half an hour?"

The other stallion only grumbled upon hearing that. The first stallion clapped his hooves together.

"Perfect! If you'd like, Miss, I can lead you to it straight away!"

"Oh, thank you! I never expected to get a handsome guide all the way over there!"

Except, I really didn't expect them to follow me. What do I do, what do I do?

She followed the stallion through several streets, listening to his idle chatter. She decided that she's going to use the chance to get some information out of him.

"That house you were standing in front of, was it the guard headquarters? If so, you've landed quite a nice place, too."

The stallion laughed.

"Oh, no, that's the Fancypants estate. He's under house arrest."

"Arrest? He is a criminal?! Oh, dear, now I am afraid! What if he escapes?"

"Don't worry, Miss, the four of us guarding him are quite capable." He suddenly stopped, remembering what he just said. He gave her a sheepish look. "Sorry, Miss, just forget that part."

"Oh, don't worry. The moment you leave my presence, I promise I won't tell it to anypony."

The guard sighed.

"That's a relief. Anyway—"

Unknown to him, the unicorn used the time he wasn't looking to throw a small can into a back alley. The following sound grabbed his attention, going from leisurely flirting to standing at attention. Vinyl took the chance and clung to him tightly.

"W-what was that? I-it isn't that criminal, is it?" She was honestly amazed that she could pull it off. The guard gently brushed off her hoof.

"Stay behind me, Miss. I'm going to check it out."

The guard bravely stepped into the dark alley, prepared to confront whatever lurks—

BANG!

The guard collapsed, leaving a smirking unicorn behind with a dented trash bin cover.

"A'ight, now to get back to the others."

_____________________________________________________________________________________

"Where is she?" Rainbow asked impatiently. She was considering just charging in, and freeing everypony in sight. Except the guards, of course. Shining peered out from the alleyway they were hiding in.

"Look, if she was found out, there would have been a signal in the sky. I know Night Shade's methods, and I also happen to know that the City Guard does not have any telepaths. If she's late, it means she had to come back on a different route, or... got lost, I suppose."

"Or maybe she knocked out one of the guards and had to drag him all the way here, hmmm?" a third voice joined. Shining and Rainbow jumped a little, but relaxed when they saw a smirking unicorn, with an unconscious pony spread on her back. She quickly dashed behind some trash, and slipped the stallion on top of them.

"So, here's the deal: there are four guards in total, this dude included. They won't expect him to come back in... say, ten or so minutes. If we move in now, we won't have much opposition from them... I think."

Shining stepped to the pony lying in the trash, and lit up his horn. A moment later, he stepped back to peer out again from the alley. Nopony in sight. He sighed.

"All right, it seems nopony noticed you. Problem is, the guard standing in front of the door will not be cooperative. We need to distract him long enough to knock him out. How can we do that?"

"You're asking the wrong question, dude. The correct one is 'What Would Trixie Do'?"

"I fail to see what she would—" the stallion stopped, a new idea forming in his mind. "Actually, that made me think of something."

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Starburst was getting impatient. His assigned guard partner was gone for fourty minutes now. By Luna, he needs to keep his libido in check. Still, if he doesn't come back in five minutes—

The sight of a familiar red mare stopped his train of thought. Wasn't this the one he went with? He snapped at attention. The mare noticed him, and steered towards him.

"Help me!" she shouted. "He's coming!"

Managing to dodge behind the confused guard, she poked a hoof in the direction where she came from. An especially enraged purple unicorn stallion galloped straight for them. Starburst decided it was time to act.

"GUYS! 12-34!" he shouted to his companions inside, facing the stallion running towards him. In a moment, everything went dark for him as Vinyl unceremoniously ripped the main door from it's hinges with her magic, and dropped it upon his head. She jumped beside Shining, who already came to a full stop. Two other guards rushed out, readying their weapons, keeping their eyes on the assailants. Shining smiled.

"Let me offer you three words of warning: Tactical Air Strike."

The guards looked at ech other confused, but then a whirling sound caught their ears. Barely even having time to look up, they were tackled by a whirling ball of white fury; slamming them into a wall, knocking them out instantly. Shining shot the three unconscious Night Guards a pitying look.

"If I think about what they're going to get from Night Shade after this..."

"Less talkey, more rescue-y!" Vinyl urged him. They entered the mansion, heading straight for the stairs, suspecting that Fancypants is up in his study. The more they were surprised, however, when a poker hit each of them on the rump, more like a warning then actual pain.

"If you leave now, I promise I won't tell the guards your identities." Fancypants warned them. He had a really worn-out look; mane tangled as it can be, his breath reeking from alcohol, and not wearing his trademark monocle. He also held a bottle of whiskey in his telekinetic grip, in addition to the poker.

"Fancypants, we came for you!" Shining urged. "Come on, we're breaking you out!"

The other stallion shot him a disgusted glare.

"I do not know about you, unfamiliar sir, but I never go back on my word. I chose house arrest, so I could prove that I had nothing to hide. Not that it matters anyway." he added sarcastically. It was quite a shock for Shining to see the most jovial of ponies so... heartbroken, but he also knew they were short on time. He yanked the bottle of alcohol from the surprised noble, and splashed it over his face and mane.

"You know chap, if you needed a drink that badly, I could have—wait..." Fancypants' eyes lit up with realisation. "Captain Shining Armor?! How? Why?"

"As I told you, we're taking you with us. There is a matter concerning the safety of Equestria, and we need your help."

"My...help? What good would my help do?" he asked with a sorrowful voice. "Nopony would even consider the assistance of their blue compatriot nowadays."

"Fancypants, this is serious. Can you trust me? Can you believe me if I say the future of Equestria may be forever lost if you don't come with us?"

The two stallions stared at each other for several moments. Finally, Fancypants hung his head.

"I... I believe you. If you truly think my services are needed... then I shall follow you."

"Neat!"

Everypony was startled by Vinyl, who was descending down the stairs. Shining was about to ask her why, but she cut him short with a hurrying gesture.

"Let's hurry, dudes and dudette! Seeing as we have two blue stallions here, I doubt we can just waltz right out of Canterlot the way we came. That leaves the longer route."

Rainbow groaned.

"Oh, man, not the sewers again!"

____________________________________________________________________________________

Soarin was flying relentlessly. A little more, and he would reach Canterlot. He heard the news—well, news from a month ago—while he was abroad. He knew that he had to do something... He wasn't really clear on what he should actually do, but he damn well knew that if the opportunity presented itself, he'd recognise it.

And recognise he did.

He saw a very fast blur moving in the night. Something about it was eerily familiar.

He altered his course, and followed the mysterious flyer.

Spitfire can wait a little more.

"Trixie, I am quite sure they will not arrive sooner just because you are out here waiting for them."

"I am willing to take that risk." Trixie replied. Luna shook her head disapprovingly. Only a mere month has passed since she saved the ex-showmare's life, and accepted her as a student, but she already found out that Trixie cannot be controlled. At least as long as her personal life was concerned. Thankfully, she accepted the moon princess' tutelage, and has improved her spellcasting a bit. Still, she was awfully interested in neighromancy. She threw herself into the princess' magic books with uncharacteristical eagerness, too. She also planned something for herself and Rainbow, which she refused to share. Luna sighed.

"I think I will lay down for a moment inside."

"You do that," Trixie answered.

"I was hoping you'd join me, and slept instead of going, as they say, steep from worry."

"That's... not quite how the expression goes. Still, I can't sleep."

"Very well then. See you in some time, then."

Trixie watched as she trotted down the stairs, with the hidden entrance once again blocked by the throne. She was unused to her own disposition towards being alone; a few months ago, she would have been delighted to revel in the admiration of great crowds. A month ago, she wanted nopony near her. And now... she felt alone if her four newfound friends weren't around her. She was genuinely worried; something she thought she had left behind a long time ago. The thought of them falling into the clutches of Strong Walls again made her stomach churn. Anything but that.

A few minutes later, she could've sworn she'd seen something over the Everfree. And it was getting larger by the moment, until it finally materialised in the form of Rainbow Dash. Trixie jumped up (carefully, her injuries were healing, after all; even after a month it stung to make very sudden movements) to greet her.

"Finally! I was worried you—" she noticed the lack of unicorns. "The others?" she asked in a worried tone.

"Relax, Trixie, they're on their way. They are taking the... scenic route." Rainbow could barely contain her laughter. "In fact, you could say... they went for some spelunking right there."

"What do you me—oh, the sewers." Trixie grinned. "I am beginning to see the upside of staying here."

"Yeah, well I think you'd have to go the same way. Anyway, the whole thing went smoothly, and—"

"Nopony move!" a harsh voice came from behind them. "You are under arrest, Rainbow Dash and some mare, for escaping from prison!"

They both focused on the stallion shouting at them, who somehow managed to tail Rainbow undetected, then stepped so he'd be in hoof reach of them. Rainbow couldn't believe her eyes.

"Soarin?! Ohmigosh what are you doing here?"

"Sorry, Rainbow, but it's the end of the line. You're a wanted criminal. Just surrender peacefully, and we'll go back to Canterlot."

"Wow." Trixie said, clearly bemused. "You want to go back to the city, just to get thrown in jail yourself?"

"I have to perform my duty."

Trixie sighed.

"Rainbow... tackle him."

In a moment, the white-painted daredevil was over the surprised stallion, successfully pinning him to the ground. From the back, Trixie created two magical restraints, holding back the stallion's hind legs.

"Just... hold him like that for a moment. I'll get our BFA!"

With that, she disappeared from Soarin's view. He refocused his efforts to squirm free from Rainbow's grip, to no avail. The only things he managed to do was getting and giving a feel of places he'd preferred to have remained private. The mare blushed, and changed her grip.

"Soarin, I like you and stuff, but if you continue down that road, then Luna help me I'm going to kick you in the nuts." she warned. Soarin stopped, only to rethink his strategy.

"Why are you doing this?" he asked.

"Because I'm innocent! This was all a set-up!"

The stallion looked at her with a desperate expression.

"I'd like to believe you, Rainbow, I'd really like to. Hay, we were best buddies back then... but there are a bajillion witnesses claiming you did it in cold blood."

"Then maybe those 'bajillion' witnesses were wrong, Vice Captain Soarin High." a new, regal voice joined.

"W-whuh? P-princess Luna?! B-but you were banished!"

"Indeed. That was the ruse I had to use, and I'm glad it fooled so many. But take my word, Soarin, Rainbow Dash did nothing wrong."

"And yet, now that you found us..." Trixie interjected. "You'll have to disappear."

The moonlight glinted on the metallic object Trixie held in her grip. A quick thrust, and Soarin screamed as the sharp tool bit into his flesh.

"Oh, shut up, it's just a needle."

Soarin blinked. What he envisioned as a three feet long Rapier of Bloodletting, was in fact a small syringe with a needle. Trixie finished draing a little blood from him, and gave it to the Princess.

"Will this be enough?"

"Definitely." Luna nodded. Soarin was utterly confused.

"What's going on?" he demanded.

"Beats me." Rainbow answered, changing her position that she was sitting on his chest. He noticed that the restraints holding back his legs were gone. With a quick leap, he reversed their position: now Rainbow was lying on her back, and Soarin held her down. She blushed furiously, trying not to look into his eyes. Soarin felt his own cheeks redden, and decided to let go.

"Will somepony please tell me what's going on?!"

"If I may." the princess said, taking the syringe from Trixie. "I will explain everything, just follow me, please."

Luna led the dumbfounded pegasus away, leaving only the two mares outside. Trixie shook her head.

"Well, this certainly changes things. I think we will have to move, soon."

"Move? Where?"

"I don't know, but Luna seemed to have some kind of plan. Hope it will work."

"And what's the deal with the needle?"

"I'll explain later. Now, how would you feel if we paid somepony a little visit?"