I went home at once, the moment me and Crystal broke off to go our ways toward our homes. I nearly sprinted home, I was…I was happy! I mean sure, I was always happy, I mean, I wasn’t one of those loner ponies who just sulked and stayed away from others…but I felt my heart race with the thought of me and Crystal back together. Now, after at last finding out the reason why she broke up with me, it wasn’t because of who I was, or what I did; it was because of her overly protective Father. Truthfully, I was a little pissed off at the large Earth Pony for what he did, I mean…ugh, thinking that just because me and her were dating, would rank him up faster?! He was pretty much using his Daughter in a sense! But still, it was all in the past, right now, all I worried for, was the now.

Looking back, when she told me that she was breaking up with me…I felt, shattered, like something was torn from me. I had other mares in my past, and we broke up and such and that…but when she did it; it felt different. Mom told me that, even though I didn’t really see it, I truly had a deeper feeling for Crystal then I would let on. Maybe it was because she was in fact the mare who I lost, as my Mom would joke…V-card. When she told me she knew, seeing how she could feel the love and happiness from us when we returned back from my room from….’studying’ she made a comment, saying something along the lines of, ‘at least you didn’t keep all of your Father’s trait’. What did she mean by that? Anyway, I’m getting off track here, as I said, Crystal felt different to me then other mares. I felt her love before, and before we ‘broke up’, I felt her love for me increase, and so I knew that she loved me, as I did for her.

When I got home, I told Mom what had happened, she smiled at me, and nodded to me, telling me that I could go. Nina was helping her with dinner, before she then asked. “Did you see, Daddy go off?” I turned to her, how did she know that? I knew she had stayed home…oh wait, Dad must’ve came back quickly to tell Mom.

“Yeah I did,” I answered as Nina nodded, going back to mashing the potatoes. I looked down at my right arm, nearly forgetting that I had it on me, Mom saw this, and I explained what Dad told me.

“I hope it doesn’t come to that,” she spoke looking at me as I undid the straps on the hidden blade. “I don’t want to see none of you hurt…”

“I know, Mom,” I answered looking up at her as she looked down. “But…you know, it’s better to be safe then sorry.”

“Mhm…true,” she nodded sharply at this before sighing. “Well, ether way, go on and get washed up for your date, go on now!”

“Mom,” I spoke as she looked back. “Before I go…are you worried about facing your own Mom again?”

She looked away at this as she placed the boiling water onto a cloth, I saw her peer down into it as she nodded. “Yes, it had been a few decades since I last saw her; I beaten her to an inch of her life.” Nina was not listening; she seemed to have gotten bored with helping and bounded off, while singing a soft song. “And beside…she’s not really my Mother.”

“What do you mean?”

“Let’s say that you were raised in the Hive, when a Changeling egg is laid, they are gathered around an area of the Hive to be cared for by female Changelings who birthed them.”

“But I or Nina was not in eggs right?”

“That’s right, I think that is because Light is only a half Changeling…but ether way. You know how you and Nina, also feed off our love, and also the ones around you when you leave?” I nodded my head at this. “Well, to prevent the young from taking too much love from their blood family, all the eggs were gather into one place. When they were born, the mothers of the eggs were not permitted to care for any of them; other Changelings would care for them. Many times, it would be a male, caring for a male; this would most likely be the soldiers of the Hives. The females were ether care givers, or even workers. Pretty much, you were chosen what to do at hatched.”

“What about you?” I asked as she sighed again.

“My, ‘Mother’, picked me, because she felt somewhat alone, I guess, and for a little while, I was raised under her as her Daughter. I…I can’t remember much of my younger years with her, the only things I could remember, were the years with Granny.” I remember Mom talking a lot about her Granny, and when Dad told her years ago what happened, and it was Fang, and her ‘Mother’ who gave the order. At first, she was angry at Dad, this was the first fight I had ever seen the too in. I remember her demanding why he didn’t tell her when he found out, and he explained saying that he was worried she would do something crazy to get to him. More words of shouts were heard, and I even saw Mom slap the side of Dad’s face with her hoof. After a few days, Mom and Dad made up, with Mom crying on Dad’s shoulder, begging for his forgiveness. I asked Dad afterward why he didn’t get mad when he was slapped. And he told me.

‘Her heart is grieving, she thought she knew the truth of her Granny’s death, and then; the murderer was before her many times. Claiming that he loved her, or for the fact that Chrysalis did the same. I do not blame her, which was just her way of venting out her anger and I will allow her too.’

“I don’t even know if my blood family is alive out there,” I was brought back to the real world as Mom brought me back with her voice. “But…it matters not, Granny was more of a Mother to me, and now, I have my own family to worry about.”

She then turned to look at me with a small smile. “But, listen to me ramble on, you don’t need to worry about mine, nor your Father’s past. Sure, our past made us who we are today; but that is what it is, our pasts.”

“Still Mom,” I answered walking over to her and looking up. “The things you and Dad went through…nopony should ever have to go through that.”

“But we did; as I said; it’s fine.” she leaned down and softly kissed my forehead. “Now, go wash up.” I smiled and nodded, as I grew older, I didn’t really kiss Mom back, barely hugged her, it was just…I don’t know, I was growing further away from the two in that sort of thing. But today, after hearing a bit of what she said, I leaned up and wrapped my arms around her neck, softly kissing her cheek. I looked back at her when I went back on all fours; she had this silly look on her face, as if I had two heads. I only shrugged, I turned to wash up.

After coming out of the shower, and walking to my room, drying myself off as I did, I went to the mirror to comb my mane back to what it use to be. As I did, I looked down at one of the shelves, and pulled it open slowly. Inside, was the first gift Crystal had ever given me, in fact, it was how she got her Cutie Mark.

Inside, was a small little craved crystal, I don’t know how, but she somehow, got a black like crystal, (Not the evil kind mind you) and one that matched her coat, and craved out what looked to be me and her nuzzling each other. I smiled softly, I hid it because I just couldn’t stand to look at it after what happened, but with soft care, I placed it back on the mirror desk. Her Dad’s words echoed in my head, over and over again. ‘One fuck up,’ oh don’t worry…I plan on never fucking up with her at all…old stallion.

It was getting dark when I went toward Crystal’s home, pretty much; a lot of the homes here looked the same. Some had more floors, others were larger, but the same style was there, none the least. When I stopped before her home, I saw a small garden of flowers among the front, but these were made of crystals. I smiled, her skills at making these crystals things have greatly improved, I swear, from afar, these made have looked real; if they were colored I mean.

Looking at the door, I took a rather deep breath and walked up, my hoof at the ready, as I knocked three times. I tapped my hooves, counting to myself as I waited, not a half a minuet went by, before the door opened. Quake was at the door, looking down at me as I slightly gulped again, seeing how I was nearly at his chest now, as when before, I was a little bit away from him. His eyes, locked onto mine as he let out a soft rumble of annoyed.

“Hello…Quake,”

“That’s...never mind, come inside,” he turned and walked away, the door nearly closing in my face as I held it open, before it could slam shut. I knew he would never like it if I was dating his Daughter, this much was true. But it was like my Dad told me long ago, not everypony is going to like you. “My Mother joined us a little while ago, dinner is almost ready. Just needs to be set on the table.”

“Would…you like some help?” he turned back to look at me, before snorting.

“You are a…’guest’ he answered as I frowned at how he said it. It sounded as if the word he used for me, was as gross as tasting your own puke. “So no, other then eating my food, just sit at the table; and don’t do anything funny!”

“Daddy…who are you, OH!” Crystal came out of a room, no doubt hearing her Dad speaking. “Shadow, you made it!”

“Course I did,” I smiled softly. “I’m here, aren’t I?” I heard her Dad snort again before entering what looked to be the kitchen, as the sound of plates being brought onto a counter was heard.

“Don’t mind Dad so much…he may not show it, but he’s happy that I’m happy…anyway, only my Grandmother could make it, come meet her!” she took my arm with her own and hobbled us toward the dinning area. It was that grand, just a long able to hold four or five ponies with some food already on it.

Sitting at the table already was a rather old looking Pegasus, her coat sagging along with her skin underneath it, to truly show her age and such. I guess this is where Crystal got her wings from, seeing how she told me both of her Mother and Father were Earth Ponies. Her coat was grey, and I mean really grey and her mane and tail, grey just like her coat, but with a white ling going through each like a streak. She looked to me, her eyes, somehow an ice blue color, that seemed to make me freeze in place. A warm smile spreading over her muzzle. “Ah…so you are Shadow Knight then?” she asked, her voice a little cracked. “It is so nice to at last put a face to the name, come sit across from me!” I only blinked and Glimmer led me toward a chair, I sat down, her next to me as the old pony leaned forward, her eyes, tracing over me before she smiled. “Ah yes…you do so have your Father’s face.”

“You know of my Dad?” I asked slightly confused as she shook her head.

“No, no,” she answered. “How long had it been…two decades I think, ether way,” she shook her hoof as if it didn’t matter. “I was in the castle, the day your Father and Mother were to be trailed.”

“Trailed?” Crystal asked as her Grandmother chuckled.

“You did not read his book, or hear the news?”

“It was as you said, two decades ago,” she pointed out. “Beside, no, I never heard it come up. And I am going to read it...sooner or later,” I smiled; she never did like reading.

‘Well…where was I….oh yes!” she smiled and went on. “I came to meet with your Father, to thank him,”

“For what?” I asked as she smiled.

“He did help keep my sister safe from that vile Lunar Guard Eclipse!” Ah, now I see where this was going. “After founding out what had happened, and to why she never left Canterlot, when she came home at last, I wanted to go see the stallion that risked his own life, to keep her safe. The day I got there, the news was big and all over town. I decided to go there, and just missed my cue to speak up on his behalf, and I’m sure, you of all ponies should know, what happened next. I’ll admit, I was rather surprised when he STILL fought for the safety of those who imprisoned him and your Mother.”

“My Dad is much like that; yes,” I answered as she nodded. “I remember him telling me that the two of them could’ve easily escaped from there, but it was his choice not to try it. He believed deeply that they had no reason to run away. And if they did, then they, Nina and I, would also have been on the run with them.”

“So very true,” the pony answered with a smile. “Oh! Where are my manners, my name, is Sky Blitz, a pleasure of meeting you,”

“As to you,” I answered with a smile, before the clanks of plates of the table were heard.

I looked over, seeing Quake giving me a look as he placed my plate before him, it looked to be grilled veggies of sorts, carrots and other such items of food placed along the plate. I heard him grunt, no doubt because me and Crystal were sitting close together. I said nothing as he went to sit next to his Mother, who gave him a firm look. “You are not still upset, because of these two being together, are you?”

“I do not trust him,” he said in a low voice.

“Daddy…”

“No, don’t even,” he interrupted his Daughter. “How can I trust anypony that can MAKE somepony love them, and feed off that love? I will not have my Daughter be some sort of…of zombie in a way!”

“Quake Rumble!” all three heads turned to the old mare, who was now glaring at her son, with a look that looked very…very terrifying. “How dare you just think that he is, from what I understand, Crystal was only under his control for a brief moment, to heal her broken bones; am I right?”

“Well…yes,” he stammered. “But…”

“But nothing!” she answered. “Your Daughter is happy, happy with a stallion that makes her feel wonderful and you wish to tear that away?”

“He is not normal!”

“How can you define normal?” she snapped as Crystal and I slightly flinched, her, leaning closer to me as she pointed to the two of us. “He is a fine young stallion, yes, he may have Changeling in him from his mother side, but that shouldn’t change the fact of WHO he is, not WHAT he is,” she then snorted loudly as Quake looked lost for word. “Or must I remind you of that crush you had when you were but their age.”

“That…was….different.”

“How so?” she asked. “You wanted to be a colt-friend to a Gryphon! And ether way I supported you for that, but when she turned you down, because of…?”

“Because…I was a pony.”

“And that was the only reason, she didn’t know of who you were or anything!”

I blinked, not a word said as the large Earth Pony looked down at the table, like a child caught doing something he shouldn’t. Wow, I guess what my Mom said was true, no matter how old you would be, a Mom would still be able to keep their child in place; and here was proof of that matter. The room was still, the only sound that was heard, was our soft breathing as Sky sighed softly before looking between me and Crystal, I flinched when she turned her gaze at me, and I saw Crystal do the same.

“I…I never saw you this mad before Grandmother,” Crystal spoke softly as the old pony smiled and chuckled softly.

“Your Grandfather and I, did not raise your Father to treat ponies like that. No matter what their background of their family tree, that is nothing on them.” She then looked to me as I blinked and flinched slightly as she smiled. “Your mother is a Changeling, yes, this I know. And the race of the Changelings has done many, many things. But YOU did not do these things, and you should not bare the fault of it. And yes, you may control ponies to love you. But I can see it in your eyes; you would never do such a thing to anypony.” She then looked to her own Son, who was moving his food around with his fork. “Now, shall we eat, without fighting?”

The rest of the dinner was rather still when it came to talking, few words were said, some laughs, but Quake was rather…mute. He would glace at me a few times, and look away, I paid no heed to him, but still…I knew of ponies who disliked Changelings because of what they did…but this was different I felt from him; but what? After the food was done, Sky and Crystal spoke, something about her getting ready to leave. I watched as Quake took some plates, as I followed behind with plates as well. He saw me come in, sighing as he looked away, I helped place the plates in the sink, before I then heard him speak. “Believe me when I say…I will be watching you ether way.” He turned on the water in the sink. “Help, and we’ll talk,” I nodded and stood beside him, as he cleaned, I dried, placing the dishes on the side, seeing how I didn’t know where they went. “My wife…was murdered, and then a Changeling took over her life,” he answered as I looked to him for a moment. “This was after Crystal was born; I believe she was five at the time. So you can see why I…dislike your kind so much,”

“It’s understandable,” I answered back, drying more. “You were tricked, and pretty much used…what happen may I ask?”

“Stabbed her three times, and hacked her head off.”

“Gruesome,”

“Very

“So when you said you knew what a pony under a Changeling spell was like…?”

“It was because I was under the spell of one.”

“Does…”

“Crystal knows only that a Changeling took the form of her Mother. I told her she died of, you know, natural cause.” I turned to him and gave him a raised eyebrow look. “Her Mother was rather sick at the time, and beside…I knew moving here with her, your Father and Mother would be around; and I rather not have my Daughter thinking that it might have been your Mother’s fault.”

We said nothing else as we washed and dried, I soon was told where everything went, so I placed them in the right spot. “You know about the attack…yes?”

“Why do you think I’m sending Crystal away?”

“How did you find out?”

“Colt…I use to work in the Guard, I have friends in there still.”

“Why don’t you leave then?”

“Because Crystal would know something is up,”

“True,”

“Why are you staying?”

“This place is the only place I’ve known as home.” I answered him looking over. “Beside myself going to Higher Wing when I was younger with my family…haven’t really set foot outside the place.”

“You need to get out more,”

“You need to stop being an ass at times,” he gave a small grunting laugh as I cracked a smile.

“Much like Lighting, well,” he drained the sink and twisted his neck left and right, the loud popping of bones snapping was heard. “As I said, I’ll be watching you. I rather I still have a Daughter to be with in the coming years, and if that is with you; well, I’ll have to just suck it up, wont I?”

“Seems like it,” I answered, after putting the dishes away I turned to go find Crystal.

“One more thing,” I turned to look at him. “You ever control her love, for anything other then melding a broken bone; you’ll have more broken bones then you can count.” He then turned and waved me away. “Now, go say goodnight to Crystal…I need a drink.” I watched as he left out the back while grabbing a bottle on the counter, only smiled and shook my head, before going back to the dining room to see Crystal there.

Beside her was a pair of saddle bags, filled with a few things I couldn’t see; her Grandmother, walking past me, toward where Quake left to. She gave me a look, no doubt asking me where he went, I pointed with the jerk of my head as she nodded. When she was gone, I turned to face Crystal as she smiled. “So…ready to go?” I asked as she only nodded.

“Yes, Grandmother booked a late night flight back to Canterlot; it should be in dock in an hour or so, so we’ll be leaving soon.”

“I see…” I answered, not really sure what else to say from this. She knew nothing of what might, or would be happening. I was glad, truly I was, but it seemed upsetting how the same day we got back together (after finding out truly why we spilt) that she would be gone for a few days or week. She seemed to sense that I was deep in thought, for she moved closer and softly nuzzled my chin as I looked to her.

“It’s only for a while, I haven’t seen them in so long, and beside…I need to be away from Father and such,”

“I know, I know,”

“And plus, I can always write to you if you get THAT lonely.”

“Oh ha-ha…” she gave a soft giggle while holding her hoof to her mouth, before then pressing her lips onto my own.

Our eyes closed as we kissed softly, moving out mouths slightly as we pressed ourselves deeper into our lip lock. We broke the quick a few moments later; I smiled softly, not only from the kiss, but also at the love I had gotten from her, because of the kiss. It just felt so…right. When we broke the kiss, I opened my eyes to look at her, her eyes half closed as she smiled, giving me one last peck on the lips before her Dad and Grandmother could enter the room.

After the goodbyes were given, they going one way, and me the other, I made my way home. Quake, giving me a sideway glance, saying nothing as he just gave me a blank stare, before closing the door. Crystal and her Grandmother were far gone into the night now, toward the air ship’s docking area. It would be good; she out of harm ways now, hopefully the attack won’t come at all. But I can understand why Quake wants her as far away as possible. And now, me knowing the reason why he dislikes me so much, it gave me that closed door I’ve been having all day; lucky me I guess. He already lost a Wife to a Changeling, and he didn’t want that to be repeated with his Daughter. That I can truly understand. “Shadow, wait up!”

I turned back to see a Guard running toward me, but I knew who he was, a friend of the family; Lance. I truly can’t remember if I mention this before, but very few knew of my Dad’s Changeling skills, of changing I mean. Lance was one of them, the brown Earth pony with sliver mane and tail was one of the first to know. Then it was Shining Armor, Cadence, Grandfather found out, as well as Vloor, and the Princesses of Equestria last. Lance stuck to Dad a lot of the time, he still idled my Dad like a small colt or filly wanting to join the Wonder Bolts. Along his side, hung a spear, on the other side, a set of arrows; and lastly, a bow on his back. He still wore his armor as he ran up, I stopping to see what he had to say. He stopped before me in a small skid, standing much taller then me, for he was an Earth Pony. He leaned forward, catching his breath, a hoof over his chest before letting out a loud sigh. “Thought that was you,” he answered with a smile. “Nopony is as black as you, with holes in their legs.” I gave a small smile before then frowning.

“I thought you would be with Dad?” I asked. As I said, he idled my Dad in a way, and seeing him here, when he left early that day…”

“I’ll explain on the way, I’m on my way to your place anyway.” I gave another weird look to him as he waved his hoof. “Just walk, I’ll tell,”

We walked for a bit, before he then started to tell what he was meaning. “Many of the guards are staying here,” he sated. “That’s why Celestia and Luna have brought the Canterlot guards here, to somewhat even the odds if the attack breaks through. As you no doubt saw, many of the guards here are station around buildings of interest, however. Shining Armor and Cadence had now started adding some guards around homes of ponies.” I nodded at this as he went on. “There are already four there, it will be the night shift ponies right now, and when dawn comes, they’ll switch, and when the attack, if the attack comes, they will escort your Mother and Sister and you to the castle.”

“What if we are not home?”

“A guard will have to follow you everywhere…I’m sorry for that I know you hate being followed.”

“It’s just…when it’s dark out, and somepony is behind you…and you don’t know them…” I gave him a look, raising my eyebrow at him, as he chuckled.

“Yes, yes, so true, I see what you mean.” We said nothing for a bit as we kept on walking, before I then asked.

“What if the Changelings take the form of the guards and do a sneak attack once inside?”

“Your Dad will be leading the guards back,” he answered. “No duh on that, but two will be side him, one on each side. What will happen is that they should raise their left hoof as they walk, if we see that this is not happening…we will have no choice but to attack with our cannons.”

“What if they forgot?”

“It was Lighting’s idea; I doubt it would forget something that would save him, and the others.” I made a humming noise as he said this, and sure enough, we were soon able to see my home.

The inside held the lights on, as we made our way closer to the building I called home. Sure enough, from what I could see, two guards stood at the ready, blank face showed as they stood still. Lance told me the other two would be being the house. I watched as Nina, wondering why she wasn’t in bed, came out, still singing ‘lala’ over and over again as she carried a plate of food on her head, she placed it before the guard on the left; ran in, and did the same to the right. When she was gone, I noticed that one of them looked down, a small smile forming on his muzzle as he sat down on his rump to eat. The other didn’t still looking ahead before he looked down slightly at times. I and Lance entered the home, as I saw Mom make two more plates, before Nina went out the back, still singing her little song. She turned when she heard us walking in and smiled. “Ah, Lance, so good to see you, I’m guessing you are the one Shining spoke of in the note that will be here?”

“That is right,” he answered. “Sorry for doing this, but I know Lighting would like this.”

“Well,” she answered. “Not as if you’ll be sharing a room with me, the sofa is yours to use when you can sleep.” He smiled and thanked her before taking his leave to go outside as Nina came back in.

“Hiya big bro! How’d your daaaaaaaaate go?” I gave her a look as she only giggled as she turned and left out of the room, going upstairs, no doubt to bed. Mom laughed softly at this, before she too then asked the same question, as I started to tell her what happen.

I told her of what happened at dinner, and to why Crystal broke up with me in the first place, she listened, eyes, blank as if not having any emotion whatsoever. When I was done, she sighed and nodded. “I had sensed his anger toward me when I first met him.” She said. “As you know, we can feel the emotions of those around us, even though we feed off their love. I had a feeling his life was tainted by a Changeling, I just never thought like that.” She then looked away, still speaking to me as she looked at nothing really. “However, this does not give him the right to judge you on that, I raised you better then that. But, still…there still that as well…”

“I know Mom,” I answered looking up at her as she looked down. “Maybe not in my lifetime, but one day, Changelings and Pony will be able to live peacefully together, maybe all races will. I know that some don’t like others, base on what they look like; but maybe one day, that shell will be broken.” She smiled and nodded her head softly at this.

“Maybe so,” she answered. “I mean, from history class, you learned that Earth, Pegasus and Unicorns use to hate one another…so maybe one day, Changelings will be placed into that group as well.” She only nodded her head at this, as if she was talking to herself, before then turning to me. “The world…is ever changing.”

“That it is,” I answered her as I yawned softly, looking at the clock, seeing that it was rather late, even though I had no school in the morning; I did have my job I had to go to.

‘Seems somepony is tried,” my Mom teased me as I only smiled waving a hoof slightly as I turned before then asking.

“Why is Nina up way past her bedtime?”

“She wanted to make sure the Guards here were well fed before going to bed.” She answered as I only nodded my head, turning my back to my Mom and waving as I left to my room upstairs.

After closing the door, and pulling out my blue vest I would be using for work, and draping it over the chair, before making my way toward the bed. As I went over, my eye caught toward the hidden blade that belonged to my Dad, the one he gave me, just moments before he left. I picked it up with my magic and held it in my hoof where it would be strapped to. I gazed on it with wonder, and thoughts of me running into battle, as all young colts would dream of; defending the ones I cared for. Though, the words of my father from the night before echoed in my head. ‘Look…the reason why I push you into doing all these other sorts of things, or try to, is because this is not the life I want you to have. I don’t want you to have done the things I have done.’ My thought and smiled from that thought went away at once; maybe…maybe Dad was right about that. I mean, now that I think deeply on it, he was right. His foal-hood was taken; he never had the things that were before me now. All he did was fight; it’s all he could do. But, I want to be just like him, I know, it sounds foolish that a near adult stallion three/forth Changeling is saying that, but still…it was what I truly wanted…or was it?

I rubbed the back of my head as I placed the weapon back down. Why was I thinking of these things now? I mean, after all these years, now my brain starts to fight with something I truly wanted? Ugh…it seems I truly do need me some sleep, if I’m fighting along myself like this! Flipping the blankets off the side so I could climb in, I snuggled, curling myself into a ball as I lay on my side. Looking out my window seeing the darkness of the night cover the world in its blanket of black. Be safe Dad, really…I hope so…

-Hours later, Lighting POV-

There was still a bit of time before the sun would raise, my breath, making clouds with each deep exhale I took, my eyes closed as breathed deeply once more. My lungs feeling icy with the cold air around me. Behind me, stood many tents, I made sure that each tent, held a pair of guards, their partner. Never was one to be away from the other, I rule I sated with them before we set out. Around the camp, were a few dozen fires going, to keep the ones awake warm as they took a small break to warm up. We all wore cloaks to shield us from the wind’s cold embrace. It worked, for the most part, but sometimes, fire, was the best choice. My mane was slightly frosting now, as I shook my head, before pulling the hood up over my head, a light shiver coursed through my frame, before, the sound of snow being crunched under one’s weight was heard. “Sir!” I heard, looking back to see my second-in-command before me. He was a light blue unicorn, his eyes, blue like the sea, and easily seen through the wee hours of the moon’s last visible time. He was wearing his cloak as well, black as the night, but easily seen through the snow. And under the cloak, his armor. I noticed he was not with his other as he pointed, he was rather close by, just warming up; that was fine in my book.

“At ease Aura,” I answered as he relaxed his stance. “What brings you here?”

“May I speak rather freely sir?” he asked me with a tilt of his head. “I wish to speak to you…as if I was not a guard.”

“You may,” I answered looking at him. “Something troubling you, I’m guessing?”

“Yes,” he answered with a nod. “It’s well…why did we stop here? I mean,” he then looked around before going on. “What made you so sure, that the Changelings would come through this way?”

I could understand why he asked such a question, around for miles would be open snow field, and though there was a rather large cave we passed a while back, there was truly nothing around. But, I had seen Aura read my book, and he seemed pretty far into it, so luckily I wouldn’t have to say much for him to understand. I said nothing for a bit, as I just looked ahead at nothing of importance really, just thinking out into the nothingness that was this cold land. “How far are you in that book?” I asked looking back at him for a moment as he thought about it for a moment or looked like he was; he then answered.

“I, got to the part where you gave your Mother’s letters to Shade, your…” he then whispered lower. “Changeling Father.” I smiled softly and looked back at him fully. “Is it true…or do you just consider him your Father?”

“Many years ago we did a blood test, just to make sure,” I spoke again. “Beside, what reason would he have to lie to me? If he wanted to do something, or was really with Cocoon, he would’ve done it long ago.”

“You still haven’t answered my question,” I sighed, closing my eyes as I spoke.

“My Father never really left the Hive truly; he is still connected to it. But, he was gone so long; he doesn’t have that will to listen to the Queen, Cocoon. Don’t ask how it is, even I don’t know that answer. Anyway, even though I was never part of the Hive, in one way, because of my Father, and after a while I could do this…” this was just after I could change, every once in a while, I could hear…whisperings in my head. Hundred of voices speaking at once, it was rather scary at first, but Saki told me after she returned, that it was my Hive, Cocoon’s Hive, speaking to one another from miles apart. “I can…hear them with my mind,”

“Sir?”

“I know…it sounds strange, but well…I followed the voices here. They are strong around here, so no doubt they will be close here.”

“And what of the other hoard?” he asked now standing beside me.

“I can not hear them,” I sated. “I am not part of their Hive, but from the Intel we’ve gotten, the two groups are together.”

He said nothing as a cold air drifted around us, I watched as he shuddered, as well as I. the moon was slowly setting even as I thought of other things and behind us, the early glow of the sun was slowly coming to past. “Well…I trust you Captain,” I heard Aura speak again as I turned to him. “And I will not question you when it comes to this. But still, I worry that many will get through and still raid the kingdom.”

“No doubt some will,” I truthfully answered him once more. “That is why we did not bring all of the guards with us, and the fact we brought in extra from Canterlot. We know we will need the help. Our duty here is to at least hold off much of the bulk.”

“What of the other Kingdoms, the Dragon Kingdom and the Gryphon Kingdom, shall they help us as well?”

I remembered that Cadence and Armor sent a letter to each of these kingdoms to warn them of what was to come, saying that the Changelings might even come to their Kingdoms as well. An army this large was not just formed to take over one Kingdom, I knew, as well as the others; they meant to take all they could.

Before we left, both letters returned, both saying pretty much the same thing; they do not wish, at the moment, to waste the time bringing out any soldiers to this part of the land. I think they believe that the Changelings are nothing to truly be feared of, and will only help, if they deem them otherwise. Fools, lot of them, if it was their kingdoms attack; they would no doubt do an all out war, and demand the help of the others! But…in a true sense, it would take them at least another week for them to send even a small party of soldiers toward us anyway. Still…it pissed me to no end that they wouldn’t even consider to lift a claw to help us in this dire need! Ether way, we would hold out, even without them at the moment. By the moon I hope my family would be okay. I had taught Saki much in fighting, so I knew she would be okay, but Nina…and Shadow.

Lance, I knew he would care for them as best as he could, and he would make sure to get them to the castle when the attack hits them. And if any one of those bastards harmed my family, I swear, they would meet a slow, painful death. My head jerked up as I heard something, but not from near me…but in my head. I closed my eyes, grunting as I heard the small whispers once more, so many, always made my head hurt! “Sir…!”

“Shush!” I ordered holding a hoof up as I listened more. They would be moving soon…we were spotted and they were going to come to us head on, but why? I opened my eyes and turned to Aura. “Get Everypony ready!” I ordered as he nodded at once, running around yelling orders as I followed as well. The sun still rising higher and higher, making the snow a blinding white for a moment.

It took us all but a few moments to get a long line and many waves of guards at the ready. I stood at the front, wearing my full armor, sword in my right hoof, as we all but waited. But, we didn’t have to wait long. A large mass of black was seen on the snow, as hundreds of Changelings flew low over the snow. The buzzing loud as their wings moved fast as I crouched low to the ground. “All unicorns!” I yelled out looking back. “You are to shoot down any that pass us, if they get to far, we have no choice but to let them go, or let the far back group a few miles back deal with them! Do not give chase!” I then looked back forward. “For now, all magic users, point ahead, and ready a magic strike!” I heard the sound of magic being drawn on as I did as well, pointing ahead. I held my sword up, to hold back the attacks. I heard the sound of then string being pulled back, as the bow wielders also got ready. Closer and closer they came, but still, I did not give the order, until they were close enough that you could see that a mixture of green and red Changelings were in the group. “NOW!” I screamed, dropping my sword as all arrows and magic were let loose.

The sound of the arrows being let loose was heard first, followed by the different colors of volleys of magic as they sailed through the air. I watched as slowly, they arched downward, as the shrill screams of Changelings getting hit were heard. I watched as many tumbled down into the snow, some getting up, but heavily harmed, others; were killed at once. But, not all arrows or magic hit their mark, as I pointed my sword and sounded the charge. The thumping of our hooves were softened by the snow as many of us charged forward, some stayed behind, for they were our long range attackers, as they kept firing their magic and arrows. I collided with a Changeling head on, seeing that they wore armor of their own, not by much, only on their head, chest and a bit of their forelegs in the front. But it mattered not to me, swinging my sword over my head; I slammed the blunt of it like a hammer on the side of one head, dazing the Changeling to the ground, before stabbing the face. The roars of battle all around me as I kept attacking the ones around me. Why would they simply not change? Confuse the rest of us; not that I was complaining at all. Maybe they were so low of love, which they couldn’t afford to change at all. Many more flew over our heads, some were shot down as a group of guards came over to overwhelm them. But as I made a quick look, I noticed that many were still getting past us toward the Crystal Kingdom! Damit!

I yelped as I was thrown to the ground by a red Changeling, his large blood eyes looking at me. I was about to bring my hidden hoof-blade out to stab him, when I remembered I gave it to Shadow! Ether way, I slammed my hoof on the side of its helm, rolling up, and blasting him away with my magic. I shook my head, as I looked around…before I saw her; Cocoon.

She was hovering far above the fight, and I could see, even from where I stood, that her eyes blazed with anger, for she was glaring down at me. Her horn and wing had grown back, rather well. Somehow, she still looked the same as I last saw her all those many years ago, and across her chest, was the scar I gave her. I watched as her horn glowed, before she fired a set of magically bolts toward me, I fired back my own, colliding with her own, but jumped out of the way, as one missed and fired where I once stood. Landing back on my feet, I looked back up, seeing her rocket toward me. Her mouth open wide as she let out a loud screech, I ran toward her as well, as she followed me, looking forward, I saw two Changelings, one of each type come toward me as well. I grinned widely as I ran toward them, before jumping. My hooves landed on their backs, before jumping once more, right toward the Changeling Queen. Sword out, ready to slash her, before I was slammed hard on the side.

I was thrown back down into the snow, slightly bouncing, before rolling and landing on my side. I coughed, spitting up some blood as I shook the stars from my eyes. My helm was also thrown clean off my head, leaving my mane now whiter a bit, with snow. I slowly got onto my feet, noticing that I was flung a bit away from the battle that was taking place to my right, I was about to go back into it, when I saw from the corner of my eye, two beings standing; waiting. Looking over fully at the two, I took a step back to defend myself, I reached for my blade, but saw that it was sticking up a bit away; for the two, now standing before me, was none other then Cocoon…and Chrysalis.

Not much of the two had really changed that much in the near two decades since I last saw ether of them. Both of them wore armor as well like their little Changelings. Their helm looked almost like that of Nightmare Moon’s type, just ether a red or lighter blue shade to match their army’s colors. The chest plate they wore, covered all of their front, or Saki’s ‘mother’ was, Cocoon bore another that covered her scar, seemed she made the chest plate go around it, until I saw her make the missing piece appear with her magic, and placed it back on with a snap.

If looks could burn, Cocoon would’ve turned me to ash, for the look she was giving me, was that bad. Her eyes narrowed, a soft hissing escaping her as she tensed up, and yet, Chrysalis was as calm as could be, in fact; she was smiling, coy like at me. “My how the years have kept you looking, nearly the same.” Her voice still sent that chill down my back as I heard her speak. “Just the small bags under your eyes, and the white in your mane; other then that, still the same fool as before!”

“Says the one,” I answered as I tilted my head left and right, hearing the popping of my neck joints as I did. “Who is now fighting alongside the same one, who tried to kill you all those years ago?”

‘I’ll admit,” she answered waving a hoof as if not caring what I said. “It did strike me as odd when she came to me, but; I would’ve done the same. Two Queens should not be near the same area.”

“And yet…here you are,”

“Here we are,”

“Enough of these friendly chit chat!” Cocoon roared glaring at me. “I want this half breed’s fucking head!”

“And hello to you Cocoon,” I glared at her. “How did you like that cell?”

“Why you little...!”

“Cocoon! Remember the plan!”

“He cut my horn and wing off!” she snarled at her before then saying. “Do what you have to, but I want him now!” I saw the two then whispers harshly to one another, this giving me time to call my sword back to me, shaking the snow off as I got myself ready for anything. I watched as the red Queen sighed heavily as she then softly chuckled and looked to me. “You know, there is something funny about life,”

“The hells are you talking about?” I demanded as she smiled.

‘Well…you couldn’t do anything to save your Mother when you were but a small little foal.” She then casted me a wide, evil grin. “And now, you can do nothing to save your own children from me.”

“YOU WILL NOT TOUCH THEM!” I roared out as I ran forward at full speed, screaming as I brought my sword up to attack her, forgetting about anything else but her. I then saw the flash of a magic attack coming toward me. I twisted my body, twirling my blade and deflecting the attack, but was too slow to dodge the incoming hoof of Cocoon.

I release a cry of pain as I was thrown back to the ground, kicked once more on the side by two of her front hooves, knocking the air from my lungs, before I was picked up by the neck with her magic, struggling to break free from her. She pulled me closer to her, her flaming red eyes so close, that I could see they were blood shot. “Nearly ten years,” she hissed at me. “I was locked away, my wing grew back rather easily, but those damn Higher Wing guards kept my horn cut whenever it grew back. If it wasn’t for that recruit that came, for he was easy for me to get him under my control; I would’ve died!” I felt the magic tightened along my neck as I gasped, my legs kicking at nothing. I couldn’t call onto my magic to attack, and I couldn’t do anything at all! “My Hive was destroyed, and when I did at last escape, I had to rebuild, yes, it took a while, but now I am returned to my full glory! Oh how I wish I could just kill you here and…” I watched as she picked up my sword, turning it sideways and pressing the side to my throat as I gulped. “Oh yes…the poetic end of Lighting Knight, Captain of the Crystal Kingdom. Killed by the murder of his mother, by his own blade, but no; you will suffer, you will suffer then you will die!” she slammed me to the ground as she brought a hoof to my temple pushing down as I cried out in pain. “First, I will kill that son of yours, I heard he is much like you, so he will sate my twitch to kill you for now, and then; I’ll give your daughter to my males. Not many females to go around you know?” my eyes grew wide as I trashed around under her, but her magic and hoof kept me down. “And your dear little Saki, oh…I’ll make her watch as I take the life of your son away, and then your Daughter…maybe I’ll let her be raped before her eyes! And then, only then, will I slowly slice her throat, and whisper to her ear, that you will meet her soon enough!”

I felt the air knocked out of me as she kicked me once more, I curled slightly in a ball as I tried to stand up, grunted before I felt a hard hit across my muzzle. I fell back to the ground, blood seeping into the snow once more as I lazily opened my eye to see Cocoon sheathed my blade near my cheek, much like I did as she then leaned down and whispered in my ear. “You will wish you’ve had killed me then, Bright Star,” she hissed before moving away. I tried to move, to stand, but my body wouldn’t let me, no…no! I couldn’t let her do this, no, I wouldn’t! But tried as I did, to order my body to stand, I couldn’t! I watched as the two slowly walked away, before sending two bursts of magic balls into the air. At once, I watched as even more Changelings came from the far end, my breath caught, no…no, this was bad; it looked maybe a few hundred more! Where did they gain so many Changelings?! The sky blackened as they flew overhead of us, toward my home, my family. At last, I was able to stand up fully, pulling out my sword as Cocoon turned back with Chrysalis and smiled while then saying. “Catch us, if you can!”

The rest of the Changelings that did not die in the fight we had took off after them, as the two Queens took lead. I fell forward again, crying out in pain as I looked around. I saw many bodies of dead Changelings, the snow around that main area red with blood. I saw maybe, three bodies of my stallions on the ground, not moving. I laid my head on the snow, unable to move, until I heard the muffle order of Aura. “Healers, get over here now, and tend to the Captain!” a while later, I felt my wounds numb, close as I opened my eyes. Some of them still hurt when I breathed, but that was the least of my worry.

‘We must return…ugh…now!”

“Sir, you need to…”

“My family and the rest of the Kingdom are in danger!” I roared in anger looking around. “Everypony, listen to me! Our families are in danger, our homes, friends, everything we have will be gone if we do not move now! We are sworn protectors of this kingdom, and will we back down, before of a few cuts and broken bones?!”

“Sir, no Sir!”

“Many of us here are Father’s, Brother’s, Son’s, and yes, even Daughter’s and Mothers. Our family is back there, living their life, not truly knowing what will happen when those beasts come! I for one, will be there, and I know you all will come back, to fight!”

“Sir, yes sir!” they roared again as I went over and picked up my sword, sheathing it as I groaned in some pain, not all wounds were healed.

“Take only what we need, everything else leave it, for it is not needed; and let us go, and protect those we care for!”

At once they took off, doing what had to be done; I looked to Aura, as he only stood still, a hoof over his head in a salute as I pointed toward the Kingdom. We marched, and when they were done, the rest slowly followed. Once all was with us, I took off into a jog, and then a run. The thumping sound of our hooves and the flapping of wings heard.

We were coming, and I pray…that we will not be too late.