It was a good thing that it was night time. That made getting around a lot easier, since I could hide in the shadows. One of the reasons I was used for covert operations in the war was my gray coat helped me blend in at night.

Oddly though, there wasn't any real commotion going on at the moment.

I saw the hospital in the distance. It was a large building, at least fifteen stories. It had the same sort of old fashioned architecture as most of Canterlot, meaning this building had to date back to at least the late 1600s. The inside was probably modern though.

Right when I was about to go toward the hospital, there was a small ringing in my head. It took a second for me to realize it was probably the Princess. I ducked behind a building and answered.

"Do you see the hospital?" Princess Luna asked me.

"Looking right at it," I took a better look at it and noticed the tight security, "It's going to be Tartarus getting in there, though."

"Hm... I expected the security to be an issue... but this is strange. Why did the changelings put the hospital under such strict guard?"

"Two guards by the front gate, and I think I see something like cameras or something," I said, taking note of the weird spider looking creatures on the wall. The only reason I suspected them to be cameras was the large eyeball in the center of their bodies, "Also, I think they have a few flying creatures keeping watch too. I don't know, think they're trying to keep someone out?" I asked sarcastically.

"That's too heavy for a mere occupation of territory," she stated, not saying whether or not she caught my sarcasm, "I wonder what they're hiding inside."

"Hang on," I said, "I'm going to get a closer look."

"Careful, Octavia," Princess Luna stated, "We can't afford to lose you."

"I'll be careful. Stay on the line."

I slowly trotted my way to the hospital, until I was at least a block away from it. From here I could also see what looked like a large boat with four white sails. The odd thing was that it had mechanical wings on its under side.

"What's that ship?" I asked.

"Do you mean the SS Friend-Ship?" the Princess asked. I was silently reeling at the name of the ship, "No one was to know of its existence. How did the Changeling Queen find it?"

"Someone is stepping out," I said as someone walked out of the hospital. They looked like the changelings, only they were as large as Princess Celestia, and had long green hair. Her horn was as long as an Alicorn's horn, and she had large wings on her back. She walked out with two other changelings and what looked like two heavily armored Canterlot guards, "Is that the Queen?"

"Probably so," the Princess said, "Can you hear what they're talking about?"

"Hang on," I said trying to zone in on what she was saying. It wasn't easy, but I could make it out for the most part.

"The guards at the front were taken out?" the Queen said in a haughty tone, "That means somepony is inside right now. Make finding this pony your top priority," she turned to her Canterlot Guards, "Make sure no one gets to the prisoner in the warehouse. If you see the intruder, kill them on sight."

The guards saluted and started walking away from the hospital. I imagined they were making their way to the warehouse.

"Prisoner in the warehouse?" I asked Princess Luna.

"She must be speaking of one of the Elements," she said, "I hope Twilight Sparkle is well..."

"Octavia," Fluttershy interjected, her image appearing next to the Princess' "If there are prisoners being kept there, we need to rescue them."

"You mean in the warehouse? Yeah, I thought that as well," I knew my objective was simply to rescue the Elements of Harmony, but I couldn't leave any civilians alone either.

"I do not like it, but this detour is necessary. Octavia, you should follow the guards. Perhaps we can learn more of the situation from the pony in captivity," Luna stated.

"Got it," I said as Luna hung up, just leaving me and Fluttershy.

"When you find the prisoner, give me a call," Fluttershy said, "I'll tend to any injuries they might have."

"Hopefully that won't be necessary. There's no reason you should have to enter this fight, and I have a feeling it's about to start getting bloody here."

"Well, okay... but definitely call me if you can win back the hospital. I might be able to set up there and be of more use."

So innocent, yet still so eager to help even if that meant being surrounded by blood. I guess that was to be expected from the Element of Kindness.

"Well, alright. As long as I don't see you carrying a weapon anytime soon. Leave the fighting to the soldiers, alright?"

"R-right, I understand..." she sounded really somber for some reason, but hung up before I could ask her why. This was still a war after all. The thought of me being a soldier and killing a few ponies was probably still trying for her.

The Canterlot Guards slowly made their way to the warehouse. I noticed that they seemed out of it for some reason. I took a chance and got a little closer to them, and I noticed their eyes had a green tint to them. Were they being controlled? I guessed that made sense.

It took a few minutes of shadowing them, but I eventually saw the large warehouse. It was in range of my Radar, so I noticed a blue dot in the room. Some one called me at that moment, so I ducked into the shadows and answered them.

"Octi!" Rainbow Dash answered, "That blue dot!"

"I know. That's one of your friends, right?" I asked.

"You can get her out of there, right?"

"I can certainly try," I said. I had every intention of getting in there and securing her safety, but I didn't want tog et her hopes up too high. I was a soldier, not a super hero, so there was still a high chance I could die here.

"Thanks, Octi."

Rainbow Dash hung up, not asking if I wanted to have my progress recorded. Understandable, as if I wanted that I'd ask her directly. I'd ask her about that after saving the hostage, whoever it was.

When the guards stopped, I made my way to the warehouse. It looked like there were weapons left behind here. I knew at some point I'd need weapons, so I picked up what looked like a small cross bow. It had a small section at the bottom that held boxes filled with tiny arrows. I tested the arrows by shooting a wall, pleased with the results. It pierced the wall and was stuck in it. This arrow could kill if shot in the right place.

I put the small crossbow in the magic bag the Princess gave me, and I started looking for a way inside the warehouse. I could always open it from inside, but since whoever the hostage was hadn't moved, that meant it would be more productive to keep the door locked outside. The poor pony inside was probably bound in some way.

If it was Twilight Sparkle, they'd have to use an inhibitor ring on her horn to prevent her from undoing the bindings. Any unicorn would need that treatment for that matter.

The side of the warehouse had a vent big enough for me to get inside. I looked out at the front door and saw the two guards I was shadowing standing guard. Yep, I thought, definitely locked from the inside.

Since I knew I'd have to go through the vent, I silently opened it and crawled inside. All I could do was hope that there was a way to get into that room from the vent.

When I got about halfway inside, I heard what sounded like a fight break out outside, but it was muffled. Maybe I was hearing things. I had to be. After all, I was the only pony inside Canterlot that was actively fighting.

Right...?

When I got further in the vent, it rose to where I thought was the ceiling. There was a opening that went into the room, and I finally got a good look at the pony inside. She was a white unicorn, with a long curly purple mane and matching tail. She had three diamonds representing her Cutie Mark. The poor thing had shackles on both her fore legs and hind legs, and a black collar with a chained leash hooked to the floor. There was a a black band on her mouth, and just as I thought, an inhibitor ring on her horn. She obviously was tough, because she was pulling at the leash with all of her might and screaming through the band. Before getting in there I called the Princess.

"Princess, I think I found one of the Elements of Harmony," I said.

"Describe her," she said.

"We're looking at a white unicorn with a purple mane and tail. Cutie Mark is three diamonds on the left flank."

Fluttershy appeared next to Luna.

"Rarity!" she screamed. Apparently Rarity was a good friend of hers, if her reaction was anything to go by.

"Is she okay?" the Princess asked. I could tell she was disappointed that it wasn't Twilight, but happy nonetheless.

"Despite being chained up like an animal, gagged, and obviously hating every second of it, yep. Absolutely fine."

"Your sarcasm is quite apparent, as usual," the Princess stated in a slight groan.

"Oh, would you rather I be a drone that follows your every order and has no personality? I thought we were fighting that lifestyle," I said loftily. I could hear Fluttershy giggling on her channel as the Princess sighed. My other superior officers have always had mixed feelings for how flippant I was. Some liked it, but some thought it was unnecessary and frustrating. Princess Luna was clearly the latter.

"Just get her out of there if you can," Princess Luna replied.

"I will, after I learn what she knows about the situation," I stated. She looked somewhat frantic at the moment, so I needed to make sure she didn't turn around and attack me once I freed her.

"Keep in mind there are guards outside," Princess Luna warned, "If they hear you, do whatever it takes to stay alive."

I knew what that meant. If the guards saw me, I was to kill them if I had to. My least favorite part of the job, and sadly the part I did the best next to staying hidden.

"I understand," I replied, not letting her know how much I hated the thought, even though I knew she was aware.

"Octavia..." Fluttershy said softly.

"I promise, I'll save her."

"I... trust you..." she said softly before she and Luna hung up. I slowly started undoing the covering on the vent. Once it was loose and fell open, Rarity stopped struggling and looked up. I shushed her before she made too much noise and then slowly jumped down into the room.

"You're Rarity, one of the Elements of Harmony, right?" I asked her. She gave me a slow nod, but she was still trembling. Apparently, she thought I was still a changeling. Understandable in this situation. Anyone could be a changeling.

"Don't worry," I reassured her, "I'm going to get you out of here, but first I need to ask you a few questions. I'm just going to undo the gag, okay?"

She slowly nodded, still eying me suspiciously. Now I could actually see her face, and was a little taken aback. She was wearing blue eyeshadow and mascara, showing that this pony was a little vain about her looks. When I got closer to her I realized she was also wearing perfume, but it had worn off a bit since she was here for at least a day. Undoing the gag showed she was also wearing red lipstick.

"You're not one of them are you?" she asked me, her voice high and fancy.

"No, I'm not a changeling, but I also know that I have no way of proving that to you. So I unfortunately can't undo the chains until you're sure I'm not a changeling."

"That's okay," Rarity said, "Honestly, the shackles I don't mind too much, but this collar..." I was about to protest, but she raised a hoof as best as she could, "I get it. You have to keep that on too, for your own safety. I'd do the same in your situation."

"Well at least we have an understanding," I said sitting down in front of her, "Why were you captured like this?"

"They were keeping me and my friend Applejack together," Rarity said looking down seriously, "But one of the changelings came in and took her to the hospital a few hours ago."

"Was she sick?"

"No, that was the strangest part," she said, her voice edged with worry, "She was perfectly healthy, and she almost got free herself."

She pointed to another set of chains on the other side of the room, and I trotted over there to investigate. The chains looked strained, as if someone pulled them loose.

"Your friend must be pretty strong," I reasoned.

"Physically she's the strongest one of us," Rarity said, pulling at the shackles on her fore legs a bit. Apparently she was getting uncomfortable.

"Hold on," I said, "You said only you and Applejack. Weren't there two more?"

"Twilight and Pinkie Pie," Rarity said, "But I don't know where they are. Pinkie Pie is resourceful enough to get out herself, but I'm worried about Twilight," Rarity looked away and shed a few tears, "Oh Twilight, I'm sorry..."

"Sorry? For what?" I asked, my heart racing a bit. Was she okay?

"Twilight knew something was wrong, but-"

"Wait," I walked over to Rarity, "What do you mean Twilight knew?"

"Well, Twilight was the first one of us to notice something strange going on in Canterlot. You see, the bride, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, was Twilight's old foalsitter, but Twilight noticed she was acting strange. We thought she was just being jealous because she was marrying her brother-"

"Twilight's brother was the groom?!" I asked angrily, making Rarity step back a bit in fear.

"Y-yes. Is something wrong?" she asked me. Realizing how I scared her I took a deep breath and composed myself.

"Sorry Rarity, I didn't mean to startle you. I just didn't know Twilight had such a connection to this situation."

Rarity laughed in disbelief, "She's more than connected to the situation here. Twilight is almost at the center of it. Not only does she know Princess Cadence and the groom, but she's Princess Celestia's student."

That was something I would have liked to know ahead of time. What else had Princess Luna opted not to tell me?

"She suspected something from the start, but we all pushed her away and even abandoned her," Rarity pulled at the chained leash lightly before continuing, "Maybe this is divine punishment. If we had been better friends, then none of this would have happened."

"You don't know that," I said sitting down in front of her again, "This invasion was planned, and looking at how much damage they already did, there wouldn't have been much you could do."

"But what if Twilight is-"

"She's alive, I'm sure of it. I already promised somepony I'd save her, and I meant that. Once I've saved her and put a stop to whatever the changelings are planning, you'll be able to apologize to your heart's content."

That seemed to put Rarity's heart at ease, "Thank you," she said, "I feel horrible, I don't even know your name."

"Well, you probably can't recognize me without my cello, but-"

"Hold on, cello?" she looked at my flank and then her eyes went wide, "Y-you're Octavia Melody?!"

I laughed, careful to keep my voice down, "Yes, if you're curious I have history as a soldier though. This is a job I took out of the goodness of my heart," something I was still somewhat regretting. Not because I didn't want to help ponies, but I wanted to escape this life. Turns out life had other plans for me.

"You're a soldier? If you don't mind me asking, what was the war?" she asked me.

"I don't mind too much. It was the War of 1972," I stated.

If it was possible for anypony with such a white coat to get pale, she sure did. After a second she looked away in sadness, something I thought was odd.

"Rarity? Is something wrong?" I asked.

"Um, out of curiosity... did you run into any of my other friends? A pegasus with a cream coat for example?"

"You mean Fluttershy. Yes, she's back at our base outside Canterlot."

She oddly bit her lip, and tensed up, "So... you know about..." she looked at me expectantly, as if I was supposed to know something. When I shook my head she relaxed a bit, "Never mind. It's nothing important. Um, you should leave me here. I'd just get in your way."

"I told your friends I'd save you though, so I can't-" I stopped midway, once I noticed something. Rarity had made a bit of a commotion in here, and none of the guards came in. I shushed Rarity and slowly made my way to the door and listened.

Someone was breathing right outside.

I motioned for Rarity to stay silent, and then slowly opened the door. I was expecting to be assaulted when I stepped outside.

"Don't move!" someone shouted, pointing their purple horn at me. I looked at the pony and saw a Canterlot Guard, wearing the full armor and helmet, which was closed over their mouth, but their eyes told me they were female. The pony looked in the warehouse and saw Rarity inside, "Is she alright?"

"I didn't touch her," I said simply and honestly.

"I don't believe you," the armored mare said, her voice shaky, "How do I know you're not a changeling? You might have put her under a spell or something." I turned around to face her and she thrust her horn right at me, "Don't move!" she repeated, her voice frantic now and her whole body shaking.

"You ever kill anypony before?" I asked her.

"What are you talking about?" she asked in retaliation.

"I'm betting not. That spell you're charging up is a spell with enough concentrated energy to kill somepony, and you know it. Your eyes show too much emotion though, and your shaking, which means your afraid."

"I-I-I'm not afraid of you!" she shouted. I snorted lightly in response.

"Please, don't kid yourself. If you had any intention of firing that spell you would have done so by now," I looked to the side a bit and saw the two guards knocked out, one of them missing his armor, "And you didn't kill them."

"Wh-why would I...?" before she could finish her question, I looked behind her and saw a changeling slowly stepping out from behind a building, his horn charging with magic.

"Get down!" I shouted. Before she could protest, I pushed her to the ground just as him and two other changelings stepped out and fired green bolts at us. I stood up and saw three more step out to join them.

Six of them against only two of us, one of us clearly new to combat and war. I stood on my hind legs getting in a fighting stance, confusing the mare next to me.

"What are you..." she asked me.

"You have that spell ready, right?!" I asked her urgently.

"W-well, yeah, but-"

"Then get ready to fight!"

"WHAT?! But I can't-"

"As of this second, you're a soldier!" I stated, "Whatever you do, don't stop shooting!"