So you know when you played Metal Gear Solid, and you'd call your people about how to beat the bosses, but no one would be attacking Snake even though he's just standing there? Suspend your disbelief a little here with the way this chapter begins. I'm trying to make this feel like a Metal Gear game, so bear with me on this, okay?

Also, excuse the vector size. I wanted it to be smaller, but eh, what are ya gonna do?

play this song!

I ducked behind a table and immediately called the Princess. Before I fought this mare I needed to know what the hell was going on here.

"What's going on?!" I asked when Princess Luna answered, "Is this Nurse Redheart or a changeling?!"

"I'm afraid I don't know!" Luna said frantically, "She sounds like Nurse Redheart, and she doesn't seem to be under any control..."

"Well something's going on here, because she's working with the changelings!" I stated, a little frustrated with this whole situation. I couldn't just kill her without cause if she was a civilian under control, but if she was a changeling then I'd have to fight her at full force.

"Heart Breakers!" Fluttershy chimed in, her image appearing next to Luna's. She looked really surprised too.

"Heart Breakers? What are you talking about?" Princess Luna asked.

"She must be with them! That's the only explanation!" Fluttershy continued.

"Mind filling me in?" I asked, "Since I'm the one who has to fight her!"

"S-sorry Octavia..." Fluttershy said shrinking back a bit. Maybe I was a little harsh with her. I sighed and calmed down.

"It's okay, Fluttershy. I'm not mad, I'm just a little confused. What's a Heart Breaker?"

"The Heart Breakers are an elite organization of changelings that answer directly to the Queen. They were formed around the end of the War of 1972," Fluttershy explained, "In order to gain information about Equestria, the changelings sent some of their most elite drones into Equestria. They were so powerful that they could create forms from scratch rather than just mimicing existing ponies."

"So these changelings can appear as anyone?!" Luna asked.

"Yes. After the end of the war, the Heart Breakers vanished from the face of the Earth," Flutttershy continued, "Their existence was just a rumor, but after hearing Nurse Redheart talking, I'm sure they exist now."

"If Queen Chrysalis came here with her elite soldiers, then she wants something else besides more land," I reasoned. After all, she wouldn't need soldiers this elite if this were an occupation. They already own Canterlot, so why all the security?

"If that's true..." Luna trailed off, "I wonder... are they after...?"

"Princess? What's wrong?" Fluttershy asked.

"And with them stealing the SS Friend-Ship too..."

"Princess! What's going on here?! Is there something you aren't telling me?!"

"That isn't important right now," Luna said, "What is important is defeating the changeling in front of you and stopping Chrysalis."

I was silent when she said that. Clearly she wasn't telling me something. In fact, I was sure at that moment she knew exactly what the changelings wanted. But like I told Rainbow Dash earlier, as a soldier, I was expected to do my job and not ask questions.

Didn't change how irritated I was though...

"Octavia, the one your fighting right now must be White Plague," Fluttershy explained, surprising me a bit.

"How do you know that?"

"She was said to specialize in biological warfare in the War of 1972," she continued, "She probably isn't that good at hoof to hoof, nor is she very fast."

"Fluttershy, I..." I was really taken aback by her knowledge of this organization. How had she known about the Heart Breakers when I didn't? Sure it was a rumor, and I didn't follow much on rumors, but this...

"Octavia, you need to take her out quickly so we can save Applejack. Fluttershy, you need to head there as well to treat her," Luna suggested, making my heart leap out of my chest.

"Hold on, I don't want Fluttershy getting involved anymore than she already is! This is officially a war zone here!"

"Exactly, and as such everyone here is a soldier. Fluttershy is a designated nurse as well, so the hospital is a good place for her to set up. We had planned on getting her there anyway."

"Yes, but..."

"Octavia, it's fine," Fluttershy said softly, "I can defend myself if necessary. Besides, if Applejack is as bad off as she sounds, she needs immediate help."

I hated it, but Fluttershy was right. I couldn't treat Applejack, and she sounded really weak. Fluttershy was the only one who could tend to her.

"Fine, but be careful Fluttershy," I urged, "I don't want to have to save you too."

"I'll be fine. Just concentrate on killing White Plague. I'll be there as fast as I can," Fluttershy said before both she and Luna hung up. Fluttershy told me to kill White Plague? I never thought I'd hear those words come out of Fluttershy's mouth. Before stepping out and fighting I quickly went to Beatrix's frequency to get her opinion on how to proceed.

"Like Fluttershy said, she isn't very powerful," Beatrix explained, "Trixie recommends putting that mini crossbow of yours to good use. The fire wand is also a good choice."

I thanked her and hung up. Immediately I pulled out the mini crossbow and jumped out to fight Nurse Redheart.

"There you are!" she shouted before galloping over to me with a scalpel in her mouth. I jumped away just in time before she threw it at me, and then fired the mini crossbow at her. It hit her side, but she didn't take a lot of damage and quickly jumped behind a table herself.

"Earth ponies are such powerful creatures," Nurse Redheart said, "They make ideal soldiers and laborers. Their bodies are so much sturdier than any other pony in existence other than alicorns. That's why they're the perfect subjects for my tests!"

She jumped out and threw another scalpel at me. Just how many of those things did she have? One hit me as I ran out of the way, but I managed to get a few good hits with my mini cross bow before she ducked behind another table.

"The reason I got into biological warfare is because it's not as violent," Nurse Redheart explained as I circled around the room, "There's nothing more fulfilling for me than to see someone strong willed suddenly bowing their head before me," she moaned in ecstasy, "I get goosebumps just thinking about it!"

She threw a small orb out from behind the table. When it exploded a green gas came out of it and covered the room. This was poison!

I covered my nose and looked away for a split second, but then felt a powerful blow to my face knocking me back. When I got up, I saw Nurse Redheart with a needle in her mouth lunging at me. I quickly rolled to the side and kicked her back, and then pulled out the fire wand and shot at her. She fell back and then ducked behind the table Applejack was still tied to.

"You better hurry, Octavia!" Nurse Redheart taunted, "She might still die if she isn't treated!"

True enough, I thought. All during this fight poor Applejack had been moaning in pain the entire time, and it sounded like she was crying right now. I tried to picture her vibrant and strong willed, but as she was now I couldn't see it. That was a testament of how much pain she was in at the moment.

Nurse Redheart jumped out and ran to another table, throwing her scalpels at me as she ran. I rolled out of the way and fired my mini crossbow at her as it was quicker and harder to dodge. She took the attack in the leg but jumped behind the table before I could get her again.

I ducked behind the table Applejack was resting on, so I could A) stay as far away from Nurse Redheart as possible, and B) ensure Applejack that it would be okay. We met eyes, and I could once again see the fear in them.

"I'll save you," I said, "I promise."

Applejack nodded slowly, letting me know that she trusted me. She was clearly still afraid, but she wouldn't let it show anymore than it already was. She was a tough mare.

I rolled out of my hiding spot pulling out the fire wand and shot at the table White Plague was hiding behind. The table caught fire and she was forced to jump away. I took that as my chance to gallop over to her and return the gift she gave me earlier. When I got to my hind legs and threw the punch, White Plague caught my punch and threw me over her shoulder.

I got to my feet again and continued to throw blow after blow, landing a few really good hits in. I kicked her back into a wall, and then pulled out the fire wand and shot at her. She galloped to the side just in time, but I could see her wearing down a bit.

She threw another gas grenade out at me, but this time I was ready. I rolled behind the burnt table she just came from and waited for the gas to clear up. When it did I saw White Plague looking around for me. Apparently I wasn't the only pony who couldn't see in that fog.

She was open. I took my chance and shot her with my fire wand, landing a really good point blank shot at her back and knocking her down.

end song here

"Not... bad..." she panted from behind the table Applejack was lying on, "I expected no less from the Great Shadow herself. But I'm not done yet," she said. She jumped out and was about to lunge at me, but something happened that I would never forget.

A pony rushed by her really fast in a blur, and her left eye was sliced through.

"Augh!!!!" she screamed, "You bitch! You cut my eye!"

I looked at who the attacker was and my heart was pounding. They were a pegasus, clearly female. I couldn't see her face nor her mane, as she was wearing a skin tight body armor that was black and red, and her helmet covered her head and face perfectly with a red visor over the eyes. The armor came out in the back and around the waist almost like an armored dress completely covering her tail as well, but I could tell who it was immediately. I knew, and I saw red.

"Y-you..." I said, "You're..."

"You traitor!" White Plague said, "Vanish for twelve years and then turn your back on the ones that made you! The Queen will hear about this!"

White Plague ran out of the room, covering her eye as she left. Immediately I pulled out my mini crossbow and fired at the black armored pony, but surprisingly she moved her head out of the way as if it were nothing.

Enraged, I charged at her and began fighting her close quarter. She ducked and doged out of the way of all of my blows as if it were a dance. She then in one swift motion kicked me back into the table Applejack was resting on. Seeing her move, now I was sure of who it was.

"Braveheart!" I screamed, "What are you doing here?!"

"Just trying to save a friend," she said, her voice distorted beyond recognition because of the armor.

"How dare you call me a friend!" I shouted, "This is for Fang!"

I'll admit, I sort of lost myself in the moment there. I just began firing at her, knowing that it was futile. Somehow she was able to dodge my shots. I just wanted one to hit her, just one.

Sadly, it never came. After a few seconds she jumped out of the window and flew away, even her wings being armored. I ran to the window, but when I arrived, she was gone.

I slammed my hoof on the window, fighting the urge to scream. She was here, right here, and I let her get away. I was about to run out and search for her, but I remembered why I was in Canterlot in the first place. Sadly, personal missions like that needed to be taken care of when there wasn't a helpless mare tied to a table in excruciating pain right behind me.

I took a deep breath, and turned to Applejack with regained composure. I trotted over to her and untied her, helping her off the table.

"Can you walk?" I asked. She tried to walk a bit, but her legs were really shakey.

"Yer... the classical musician... Octavia Melody, ain't ya?" she said, her Applosian accent quite apparent now that she spoke in full sentences.

"That's right," I said guiding her to the window and lying her down under it, "Surprised to see somepony like me fighting?"

"Not really..." she said with a smile, "Mah big brother fought in the War of 1972. Said there was sum interestin characters there, all sorts of types. Seein ya fight like that... didn't surprise me one bit."

"Your brother was in the War of 1972?" I asked, suddenly getting a good look at her. How could I not recognize her? She was younger in the pictures, but I remembered her now, "Tell me, is his name Macintosh?"

"Yeah, that's his name," she said, suddenly coughing.

"Hey, don't get too excited," I said, "You're not well."

"Sorry," Applejack said, "It's jus, Ah can't believe Ah'm meetin one of his war buddies right now. Ah can't wait ta tell Big Mac that Ah saw ya."

"Big Mac, huh? Funny, in the war, we always called him Lil Mac because he was the youngest one there," I said loftily, making Applejack laugh too.

"Lil Mac?! Aw, ya shouldn't 've told me that," she said coughing once, "Ah'll never let him live that one down."

That cough was worrying me, so I smiled to her and quickly called Fluttershy, now wanting her to get here.

"Fluttershy, how close are you?" I asked Fluttershy, who looked really tired for some reason. Must have been flying really fast.

"I'm right outside the hospital," she stated, "The changelings are clearing out."

"Must be because I took out the leader. Applejack is safe, but she's not well. Can you treat her when you get here?"

"That was my plan," Fluttershy said, "Can you stay with her until I get there?"

"Sure, I can do that."

"Thank you Octavia..." she said somberly before hanging up. She was always so worried about others, I figured she felt bad for slowing me down. It wasn't a bother to me at all. In fact, I was looking forward to seeing her again.

"Your friend is on her way," I said to Applejack, "The changelings have left, so you aren't in any danger."

"Hang on..." Applejack said, "Yer here ta fight the changelings, right?"

"Well, my main goal is to save all of your friends and Canterlot," I stated, "But yeah, that's in my job description as well, techically."

"Then Ah need ta tell ya whut I learned," she said, surprising me.

"What you learned?"

"Before they captured me, Ah heard a few of the drones talkin about a weapon they wus gonna use. Ah wanted ta tell somepony, but since mah capture Ah wus gagged almost the entire time, even when Ah wus with Rarity."

That had to be frustrating. Having information that could help stop the invasion, one of your friends right next to you, and you can't talk. No wonder she was so adamant about escaping.

"Do you know anything about this weapon?" I asked her.

"Nurse Redheart wus talkin ta the queen 'bout it. They thought Ah wus unconscious, so they didn't pay me much mind. Apparently, it's sum sort of... bipedal tank or somethin. They also said somethin 'bout a "metal gear" an' somethin called "tallas"... Ah don't know. They lost me when they started talkin machines."

I let the words ring in my head for a bit. A bipedal tank? And what were they talking about concerning a "metal gear"? It took a minute, but then the gears in my head started turning really fast.

"Do you think they meant Metal Gear TALOS?" I asked Applejack, who nodded quickly.

"Yeah, yeah! That's the thing!" she said, coughing again. Faust, this mare was going to kill herself before Fluttershy got here, "Metal Gear TALOS, that's the name."

If the changelings were trying to get the Metal Gear project running again, we were in serious trouble. I just hoped they hadn't been working on it for very long.

"This isn't good," I said pacing around, "They're building a Metal Gear? What for?"

"Ah don't think they're building it," Applejack said coughing once, "Ah think they said it wus finished."

My heart sank when I heard that. It was built already? The changelings had that sort of technology at their disposal?

"Ah... managed ta warn Twilight 'fore Ah got captured," Applejack said, "She wus wearin one of them earrins yer wearin, an' told me ta remember 140.15..."

"A frequency?" I asked Applejack.

"She said not ta give that number ta anypony but our friends," Applejack said, "But yer the only pony who can protect her."

"Why do you want me to protect Twilight?" I asked Applejack.

"Cause when Ah told her 'bout the weapon the changelings were usin, she freaked out an' went off on her own. Ah wanted ta gallop after her, but..."

"Then you got captured before you could reach her," I continued, getting a grimace from the earth pony lying down in front of me. This confirmed for me that the pony I had seen before was Twilight Sparkle. I needed to find her quickly.

The door opened, making me jump a bit. When I turned around I saw Fluttershy galloping into the room.

"Applejack! Are you okay?" Fluttershy said kneeling next to her.

"Aw, Ah'm fine now," Applejack said, suddenly sounding tougher than earlier, "It's gonna take more than sum overgrown bugs ta take me down."

I could see it in her eyes. She was forcing herself to sound strong for her friend. I knew this was a bad idea, but it wasn't my place to argue.

"Fluttershy," I said catching the cream colored pegasus' attention, "I'm going to get in touch with Twilight, and then start making my way to the castle. What are you going to do?"

"Um... it probably isn't safe to move Applejack too quickly," Fluttershy said softly, "I'll take her back to Princess Luna's base when she's better, but for now I'll stay here."

"I'd feel better if you weren't here by yourself," I stated, "But if you're sure you'll be okay..."

Fluttershy nodded, "Yes, Octavia. I'll be alright. Please look after Twilight."

"I will," I said before pulling Fluttershy into a comforting embrace, "It's going to be okay, Fluttershy. I'll protect you and all of your friends."

"Th-thank you..." she said softly before returning the embrace. She let go of me and quickly began tending to Applejack, who was suddenly looking at Fluttershy concerned. I thought about asking her what was wrong, but thought against it, as I was pressed for time.

"When you see Lil' Mac, tell him I said hi, okay?" I said to Applejack who nodded smiling.

"Ah'll tell Lil' Mac just that," she said with a smirk. I knew that she was going to make Macintosh's life hell now that she knew his nickname, but that's what little sisters were for, right?

When I left the operating room, I noticed that the camera like creatures were gone. Like Fluttershy said, the changelings cleared out of the hospital. That was good, but I knew they'd eventually come back unless we got a defense around here.

Well, it was safe now, so I walked over to the elevator and turned my earring to the frequency Applejack gave me. Sure enough, the pony on the other end was wearring Canterlot Knight armor.

"Y-you..." she said, clearly surprised that somepony was able to find her.

"Your friend Applejack is safe," I said to start the conversation, "She's being taken care of by your friend Fluttershy right now."

"You're with... Fluttershy...?"

"Rainbow Dash and Princess Luna are with me as well," I continued, "I'm on your side. My name is Octavia Melody."

"Wait... Octavia Melody? As in, famous classical musician and composer Octavia Melody?!"

I laughed at her eagerness, "I take it you're a fan?"

"I'm literally in love with your music! I listen to it all the time when I'm studying!" Twilight said, literally beaming with excitement. Through the image I could see she was still wearing her helmet, so I could only see her eyes, but that was enough for me to see that she was smiling.

"It's nice to know that my music is so well received," I said smiling as well. Now that I was talking to her, I could tell she was a pony I could get along with.

"But I'm confused... earlier you seemed so..." she said looking away slightly.

"Sorry about that. I know that the way I spoke to you was a little cross, and I probably scared you quite a bit, but-"

"I know, you were trying to survive. I was just surprised that you were so hard core," she said honestly.

"Well, let's just say that playing stringed instruments isn't the only thing I'm good at, unfortunately."

"So... were you a soldier?"

"Yes, I fought in the War of 1972," I said, noticing how somber she got.

"Princess Celestia told me how gruesome that war was," she said, "Most of the ponies that fought in that war turned out pretty traumatized."

That made me wonder how Lil' Mac was doing. He was a good kid, and always had something witty to say. He was the one making us laugh when when things got too serious. I hoped he was still loud and cracking jokes every five seconds.

"Applejack told you about a weapon the changelings were going to use, right?" I asked, getting a nod from the pony on the other side.

"Yes. I've been looking into it while searching for civilians. My brother got injured trying to get himself and Cadence to safety, so I'm using his Codex Earring."

That explained why she even had the earring in the first place, "Did you learn anything about the weapon? Where it's being held?"

"No, sorry. Most of the guards are stationed in the castle, so that's where the more juicy information is. I did hear something about the creator of it. I think her name was Vinyl Scratch or something like that."

So, Metal Gear was made by a pony of Equestria? Somepony was a traitor, and I was going to make them pay for making something so accursed.

"Well, that gives me even more insentive to get into the castle," I said seriously, "Do you know a way in?"

"Hm... wait, I think I have an idea," Twilight said, "At the western side of Canterlot is a way into the catacombs. I'm pretty sure they connect to the castle. You can use that."

"Great. Thanks, Twilight. Now get back to your brother where it's safe," I commanded, but she shook her head adamantly.

"Sorry, but I have to see this through till the end. I'm not going back."

"Twilight-"

"Besides, you'll still need my help getting into the castle. I'll be stationed there in about an hour, so I can sneak you inside. Also, I know the entire layout of the castle like the back of my hoof."

I sighed in frustration. I just knew this mare would be the death of me.

"I'm not saying I'm going to fight, but I can at least support you. At this point, it's better that we work together."

Sadly, I couldn't argue with that. Despite how our first meeting went, I could tell that this pony was the type to use common sense. She was right, I did need her help.

"Fine, you and I can work together," I said, "But stay out trouble, okay?"

"I'll be good, I promise," Twilight said.

"Alright, we'll meet up at the catacomb's entrance. Wait for me there, okay?"

"Got it, and thanks for looking after my friends," Twilight said.

"They're slowly becoming my friends too," especially Fluttershy, I thought to myself when I remembered how I hugged her earlier. She was slowly becoming something like a little sister to me.

"See you in a bit," Twilight said hanging up. The western side of Canterlot, huh? Well, at least I had my next objective. I got on the elevator and went down to the first floor, wasting no time making my way to the door.

Outside, I saw there were definitely less changeling drones around, but there were still a couple. Before I continued I decided to call Rainbow Dash in order to record my progress.

"You okay, Octi?" Rainbow Dash asked me.

"Yeah, I'm okay now," I said, "Could you record my progress?"

"Got the computer open and ready to record. What cha got for me?"

I then relayed everything to her that had happened to me so far, including my moment with Braveheart.

"So... you're sure that was Braveheart from earlier?" Rainbow Dash asked me.

"I'd know those moves anywhere. It was her, alright."

"But she saved you, didn't she? That has to count for something."

"She only saved me so she could kill me herself," I said venomously, "What I want to know is why she's even here. White Plague called her a traitor."

"Maybe she was with the changelings," Rainbow Dash said. I thought about that, and it did make sense. But why did she betray them? Did she turn on them just like she turned on Equestria during the War of 1972?

"All I know is that she's dangerous, and clearly a wild card. If I see her again, I'm taking her out."

"Octi..."

"I'll fight calmer next time, I promise, but I will fight her, and I will kill her," and I meant it. There wasn't much to say after that, so Rainbow Dash nodded somberly and hung up, a gesture I appreciated.

I began sneaking my way to the western edge of Canterlot. There were a few changeling guards stationed around, but nothing too complicated that my life was in any danger.

I was about halfway there when my earring began ringing. I looked at the frequency, and it read 141.80. I didn't recognize that frequency, so I hid behind a building and opened the line.

I was not ready for who I heard on the other end.

"Hello, is anypony there? This is Princess Celestia. I need help."