War Was All We Knew.

Chapter Seventeen

Addendum #12: Further research into the physiology and psychological states of the Changelings have yielded unparalleled results, thanks to Damon Baird and his previous experience researching the "Locust". We managed to discover that the Changelings are able to heal wounds at a rapid rate and have twice the physical strength of a fully grown pony stallion. Further analysis of the Changeling's chameleonic secretions show that the gel only works on Changelings, tests on willing pony, unicorn, pegasus and human subjects ended with failure. The human subjects complained that the gel stuck to their skin and the gel had to be removed with spells and tonics. The Changelings do have a form of communication but it varies upon who they are communicating with, if it is with other Changelings then they will communicate through a series of clicks and hisses. If communication is between them and an Equestrian species then they will use a similar Equestrian language albeit with noticeable lisps and mispronunciations, only one Changeling will use this language at a time rather than two or three of them, the reason behind this is unknown. Further studies into the Changelings will be discontinued after tomorrow under official order from Chairman Hoffman and all Changeling subjects are to be terminated. We will allow the Gears to commence the Changeling's terminations. This isn't right.

(Last record on Changeling research in the Canterlot Castle Dungeons. Written by Canterlot Head Scientist, Steamus Beaker.)

***

Front Gate of Canterlot Castle

"Can you believe this shit?" Baird said as he jostled his way through the crowd of confused looking ponies to join his squad at the stairs of Canterlot Castle, "All because of what we just found out what the Changelings can do."

"At least we found out ourselves, could've been a lot worse if we didn't find that out sooner." Cole replied as he jogged to keep up.

"Good thing Hoffman has the balls to stick this new policy up, Prescott would've tried to reason with those fucking bugs the same way he did with the Stranded. We should've started this policy a long time ago."

"But we didn't know if they were gonna be hostile to us when we first heard of them. Hoffman thought that just our presence could've scared the Changelings."

"Yeah, but Prescott said the same thing about the Stranded at Peluran and what happened? The assholes attacked the town and tried to take our fishing trawlers, even with the Clement and the Zepthr keeping check on the patrols."

Cole shrugged and kept following, he didn't know why the Changelings hadn't surrendered or ran away when they had the chance. They just seemed to keep coming, much like the Locust. But the Locust would retreat when they had to, the Changelings hadn't shown any sign of doing just that ever since they were first discovered in the city. Baird nudged past a few more ponies and came to the stairs, but there was a rather large white unicorn stallion standing in the way. The unicorn was wearing a white tuxedo and was staring directly at Baird, not moving but he did give a very aristocratic sniff of disapproval. Baird stared back and tried to find out why this unicorn was standing in his way.

"Uhhh, excuse me. I need to get through."

"And who might you me?" the unicorn asked.

"Why is that relevant?" Baird asked.

"Wait a second, you ain't Shining," Cole said.

"No, I am not Shining Armor. I am Prince Blueblood," the unicorn said, "Now, may I inquire who you are?"

"What's it to you?" Baird asked.

"I am asking the questions here, not you," Blueblood said.

"Holy shit, this guy is really fucking annoying," Baird thought.

"Look, sir. Can we get through? It's important business," Cole said. Blueblood sighed and nodded.

"Very well, you may proceed. After you kiss the royal hoof."

He stuck out one of his forelegs and held his hoof in front of Baird's face who stared in disgust for a few seconds before swatting it away.

"You can kiss my ass before I kiss your hoof, come on Cole."

Baird shoved his way past Blueblood and started up the stairs, Cole followed but stopping briefly to talk to Blueblood.

"You really should treat your guests better, it'll give you a better reputation."

Blueblood scoffed and turned his nose up at Cole before walking away. Cole sighed and caught up to Baird who was waiting at the top of the stairs for him.

"He'll come crawling back to us once he gets a bunch of Changelings up his ass," Baird said, "His ego will crumble once he gets attacked. So, where're the Princesses at?"

Cole looked to his right and saw that Hoffman, all of Delta Squad and a handful of Onyx and Royal Guards were occupying the last few steps that led to the doors of Canterlot Castle. Twilight's friends and her older brother Shining Armor were all there too along with the fillies who were rather close to Carmine's boots, as for Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, they had not yet appeared. Twilight had been sent to go and find them but that was almost an hour ago. Cole nudged Baird and went to join Delta Squad who were scanning the crowd for any signs of Changelings.

"Yo, Marcus. Anything suspicious?"

"Nothing yet, Cole. But we've got Gears down in the crowd just in case, at this rate we can be sure that we'll find several."

"They really are little suicidal bastards aren't they?" Baird said.

"Would you take them over the Stranded, Blondie?" Bernie asked.

"Check back once this all blows over. I haven't faced the Changelings in combat."

The sound of royal trumpets silenced the murmur from the crowd. Delta stepped back as the front doors of the castle opened up and Princess Celestia and Twilight stepped into the mid-afternoon sun, both looking uncomfortable. The Royal Guards saluted as the Princess walked past them, the Onyx Guards simply stepped out of the way, Hoffman stared at Princess Celestia as she took her place next to him, she was very nervous and seemed spooked as well. As Celestia gave her speech about the Changeling presence in Canterlot Hoffman leaned down and whispered to Twilight.

"Where's Princess Luna?"

"Gone," Twilight said, "She's nowhere to be found in the Castle. She isn't even in her own castle on the moon."

"She's got a castle on the moon?"

"Yes, she is the Princess of the Night after all."

"Did you say that Princess Luna is missing?" Marcus asked, clearly he had overheard the conversation.

"Yes, she went missing a few days ago," Twilight said, "Why do you ask?"

"I think she visited me in a dream, stopped it and said that she'd been watching my dreams since I first arrived here. Then she got taken away in a ball of green light or something."

"A ball of green light? In your dream? Was it the same color as Changeling gel?"

"Yeah, what about it?"

Twilight's eyes went wide with fear. She took a couple of ragged breaths and then spoke.

"Changelings can't penetrate dreams unless they possess magical abilities."

"What does that mean then?" Hoffman asked. Twilight swallowed and then stepped back to look at both humans, eyes wide with fear and dread.

"Marcus, I think you witnessed Queen Chrysalis kidnap Princess Luna which means one thing; She's here."

"Well, shit. That isn't good," Hoffman said, "Does Princess Celestia think Chrysalis is here?"

"I don't know, I'll ask her when you give your speech."

Princess Celestia's speech went on for several more minutes until she finished and then stepped off the podium so that Hoffman could give his speech on the new "Shoot-to-Kill" policy on the Changelings. Marcus scanned the crowd, so far there hadn't been much suspicious activity, each of the ponies in the crowd were just staring at Hoffman. None of them moving too much nor speaking to each other, not even the ones behind the large fountain with a statue of Princess Celestia were moving to get a better look. The only background noises heard consisted of the COG patrols of the city outside of the Castle walls and the distant chocca-chocca of Ravens patrolling the skies. It seemed very quiet for a city that was being infiltrated each day by Changelings, too quiet. Marcus glanced over at Twilight and Princess Celestia, he knew just from their posture that Twilight was telling Celestia that Princess Luna had been captured by the Changelings. Celestia turned her head quickly to look at the crowd, but it wasn't quick enough for Marcus to clearly see the tear running down her cheek. He sighed and pressed a finger to his ear to listen to the radio chatter.

"KR Five-Four reporting in. The sky ways are clear over the south."

"Centaur Eight-One here, can we get some engineers to our position? We've got a busted hydraulics line."

"Control, this is squad Omega Nine. Are there any reports of Changeling activity in the city? We've seen nothing so far."

"Control to Omega Nine, that's a negative on the Changeling activity. Several squads have been reporting that as well, we have no idea where the Changelings are."

"Roger that, Control. It's like they just vanished."

"Theta Three to all squads, has anyone seen the civvies? There aren't a lot of them around."

"Control to Theta Three, the civvies are all in hiding. Nothing to worry about."

Marcus became perplexed about this, he walked back behind the squad and turned on his transmitter.

"Fenix to Control, did you just say that the civvies were all in hiding?"

"Confirmed sergeant Fenix. Several teams reported that most of the city's population had taken refuge in their homes."

"You sure about those reports? We've got several hundred civvie ponies by the front gates of the Castle."

"KR Zero-Five to Fenix, we can see them too, but we did not see them travel to the castle. Repeat, we did not see any activity around there prior to the speeches, Gear or civvie."

"Oh my god..."

Marcus shoved his way past his squadmates to Hoffman, who had just finished his speech when a deafening explosion shook the ground and a frantic voice pierced the radio.

"Mayday! Mayday! This is KR Zero-Five, we are going down! I say again, we are going down!"

Delta Squad, Hoffman, Princess Celestia, Twilight, her friends and the Royal Guards looked up and saw the Raven spiral out of the sky, fire and smoke pouring from it's tail until it disappeared behind the wall and a fireball erupted from where it vanished.

"Holy shit! What the hell happened?!" Hoffman barked. Chuckling suddenly broke the stunned silence.

"I happened, Chairman. That is what happened."

The crowd of ponies turned to face the statue on the fountain which was now glowing green and appeared to be melting, no, the stone of the statue was melting revealing a much larger Changeling underneath the rock. But this Changeling was more more slender, had longer wings and a deformed looking horn that poked out from a messy mane unto which a crown could easily be spotted. It was clear that this was Queen Chrysalis.

"Oh good, it's the queen of the bugs. I was wondering when she'd show up," Baird said.

"Chrysalis!" Celestia shouted, "Where is my sister?"

Chrysalis chuckled and smiled, her pointed fangs showing clearly.

"She's safe, for now. If you wish to see her alive again I suggest you surrender while you have the chance, I have to upper hoof now."

"Like hell you do!" Hoffman barked back, "The COG is here this time and if you dare try anything we will kick your asses!"

"Guards! Stand ready!" Shining ordered the Royal Guards. The Guards stood in attack positions and aimed their weapons directly at Chrysalis, just as the sound of several other weapons were being shouldered and cocked. Hoffman and Shining looked up and saw the Onyx Guards had their weapons up and ready, but they were't pointed at Chrysalis. They were aimed at Hoffman, Celestia and Delta squad.

"Oh shit, this is bad." Cole said. Chrysalis opened up her wings and flew up and stopped several feet away from the podium.

"Like I said before, Chairman, I have the upper hoof."

Delta and the Royal Guards raised their weapons in response, Hoffman grabbed Bernie's sidearm and pointed it at an Onyx Guard next to him.

"What did you do to my guards?" Hoffman asked.

"I did nothing, aside from teach my soldiers to copy various forms from your species," Chrysalis said.

"Wait, we studied your kind," Baird said, "None of the tests showed that a single Changeling was capable of producing enough gel to copy our form and even if they did, they would have a hard time trying to manipulate our movements."

"So, doesn't mean we can't practice. And I thought you were the smartest of your kind, Damon Baird."

"How the hell do you know my name?"

"I watched what happens in your mind when you sleep. I know who you are, what you've done and I also know your biggest fears."

"What the hell is she talking about?" Marcus said. Chrysalis flew over the crowd and landed back on the fountain. The crowd turned to face the Gears and then revealed that they were Changelings, but in one slow synchronized move they all stood up on their hind legs, climbed up on each other in twos to fives and then secreted the gel. Chrysalis too was coating herself in the gel and Marcus could clearly see that it was hardening into something that looked vaguely familiar, Delta and the ponies stood and watched as the Changelings shifted and changed into the very essence of a nightmare in such a peaceful land; their armor, weapons and appearance may have been a mix of black and green but every one of the humans knew what kind of monster the Changelings had taken a liking to.

"Oh my god," Bernie said, "They've made themselves look like the Locust!"

"Holy fuck! They got everything about the grubs right," Baird exclaimed.

"Aside from their color," Sam said.

"I don't think the color of the grub wannabes is our biggest problem right now."

"You see, humans? Your kind is worthless and weak against mine. We will destroy you."

Marcus froze when he heard the new but very familiar voice. He switched his gaze from the army of Locust Changelings to the fountain where Chrysalis was standing but instead of seeing the leader of the Changelings, he was looking directly at the face of Queen Myrrah. Chrysalis had copied the former Locust queen in her battle armor, aside from changing the color to a mix of black and green like the rest of the Changelings. Even the face looked like hers. The sly grin that Chrysalis had burned deep into Marcus, fueling an inner rage that he thought has been extinguished long ago.

"Look inside yourself, Marcus Fenix. Do you have the will to win?"

Even the voice was a perfect replication. Hoffman pushed his way past Marcus and pointed his Snub pistol at Chrysalis.

"If you think you've got enough bugs to defeat us, then you've underestimated what the COG can do."

"Do you really think that this is all I have? I posted hundreds of my troops around and inside the city to fight your forces, you cannot win this fight Chairman. You will die here, all of you."

"Like hell we will!" Marcus bellowed. He then turned to face one of the Onyx Guards, revved up his chainsaw and drove the blade deep into the shoulder of the Guard. The shriek that the Guard emitted was much more high pitched than Marcus was expecting, proving that the Changelings had the ability to change into humans. Marcus yanked his saw out of the abdomen of the top Changeling and put a burst of Lancer rounds through the Changeling acting as the lower torso. He span around and then gunned down another Onyx Changeling that was about to attack Hoffman. Hoffman backed away from the podium, firing at any of the Onyx Changelings that dared come close to his Gears.

"Get inside the Castle! It's our best chance of escape!"

"Princess, have your Guards escort your subjects to a safe place," Bernie said.

"Very well, your kind has more experience fighting," Celestia said. She bolted into the Castle followed by Twilight and her friends then the Royal Guards who proceeded to shut the doors and lower the portcullis. Marcus saw the Guards and directed the Squad's attention to get inside. Delta sprinted inside, Carmine bayoneting an Onyx Changeling and Cole tackling another out of the way before they got inside and sealed the doors and gate.

"So then," Baird said, "Anyone have a plan of action?"

"Didn't Chrysalis say that she already had Changelings in the city?" Bernie asked.

"Yeah, do you think that the rest of our forces are experiencing this?" Sam said.

Anya turned on her radio and listened to the chatter, Sam was right, the other Gears were reporting Locust Changelings throughout Canterlot and were engaging them. She glanced over at Marcus who was staring at the front door of the castle which was now being battered by the Changelings from outside, the replicated screams of various Locust were muffled but they still sent chills down the spines of each of the Gears.

"Okay, I know what to do. Anya, Cole, Baird, you come with me. If we get out of here and assist the Gears in taking back the city then we can get everyone to the Castle. Jace, Sam, Carmine, stay here and hold down the Castle with the Royal Guards until we get some more backup."

"But how are you going to get to the city?" Twilight asked, "The Castle is probably surrounded."

"We're going to fly there," Marcus said as he pressed a finger to his ear, "KR Five-Nine, you receiving?"

"I'm here, Marcus," Gettner's voice replied, "Anything you need?"

"I need you to pick us up from Canterlot Castle and drop us off in the city."

"Wilco, but you need to get to the gardens, that's the only place I can land."

"We're on it."

"You can get there faster if you take the lower halls in the south side of the Castle," Shining armor said.

"Thanks, and make sure you keep both Celestia and Hoffman safe."

"I'll make sure of that."

"Let's move out Delta!" Marcus said.

Marcus and his squad followed Princess Celestia's directions, which led them through a maze of long forgotten corridors and secret passageways until the sounds of birds chirping and the smell of fresh air greeted them. Marcus slowed his run to a steady jog as the sunlight from outside streamed into the hallway, they had made it to the Canterlot castle gardens. Marcus and Anya took cover by the pillars that led towards the gardens and looked around for any Changelings, none were seen or heard so the squad moved out into the open grounds and Marcus contacted Gettner again.

"You there Major? We're ready for pickup."

"Roger that Marcus. I'm coming in for landing."

The squad watched as the Raven broke through the low hanging clouds and descended towards them. As it did Marcus turned towards Carmine, Sam and Jace.

"Make sure that you stay with Hoffman and Bernie. I don't know where the Onyx Guards are but until they show up you are all the decent protection that they have."

"Count on us, Marcus," Sam said just as the Raven landed. Screeching suddenly overpowered the sound of the Raven's rotors and the squad turned to see several Locust Changelings leap over the ornate banister on the other side of the green and charge towards them. Carmine shoved his way past Marcus and Sam and opened fire with his Mk 1 Lancer.

"Get the fuck back you ugly shits!" he yelled, spraying bullets towards the Changelings. Several of them dropped dead but more kept charging.

"On the Raven, now!" Marcus barked. Marcus, Cole, Baird and Anya jumped into the transport bay as Sam, Jace and Carmine ran back into the castle, stopping a few times to engage the still charging Locust Changelings.

"Okay, Sergeant Fenix. Anywhere you want to go?" Gettner asked.

"Where's the main trouble spot in the city?"

"That'll be the city center, most of the bugs gathered up there when they were acting as ponies."

"Pretending to look and act like the local population before they attacked, good thing the Grubs didn't try that," Baird said.

"They didn't try it because they were too ugly, baby!" Cole guffawed, "No Locust could ever get away with looking like some Thrashball mom, no matter how much makeup they use."

Anya smiled but stopped when she saw Marcus staring out of the bay, eyes fixated on the now burning city of Canterlot.

"Marcus, are we going to set down there or try somewhere else?"

He didn't reply at first but then nodded a few seconds later.

"We're going in. Gettner, take us in to the AO as close as possible."

"Roger that, I'd better not get a grenade up my ass like last time."

"Don't worry," Baird said, "The bugs can't make their gel shit explode."

Gettner sighed and turned the nose of the Raven to the city center, Marcus flicked the safety on his Lancer to off.

"Okay people, the bugs know how to act as the Locust so get ready for a fight."

"These guys better be easier than the Dragons," Cole said.