I knew I was dreaming, the rolling waves and the beach scene pretty much gave it away. I put my hands in my pockets and looked out over the water, I smiled. My attention was brought back to the beach as a child, a human child, ran pass me. I followed the kid and realised something, it was me. The small boy was me, about five I think. I followed after my young self until the child ran up to a couple sitting on a large picnic blanket. I stopped, my heart beating faster, it was my parents.

I stood watching my mum and dad play with the young me, I watched as my young self leapt off the blanket and headed towards me. My younger self stopped in front of me and looked up, I waved, my younger self just stared at me before holding out a hand. I looked over to my parents and they were smiling at me. I turn my gaze back to the child in front of me and held out my hand, my younger self dropped a badge into my hand. I looked at it and it was the crescent guard emblem, my younger self saluted me and I returned the salute. My past self chuckled and ran back to my parents, all three waved as the dream faded out.

****

I slowly opened my eyes, I felt like I just had something really heavy fall on me, my whole body ached from head to toe. I tried to raise up a hand to my forehead only to find it was strapped down. I tried to move but my whole body felt sluggish and I just wanted to sleep.

“Your awake.” I turned my gaze to the voice.

“Luna?” I croak. “H-how?”

“My guards found you, you had a very frightened mare screaming at you to wake up.”

“I was stupid, I grabbed a changelings horn mid spell without thinking. I must have absorbed every drop of magic the changeling had.” I slowly move my head to look about the room. “My companions? Are they safe?”

“Yes, they are across the hall. Would you like me to get them?” Luna asks.

“No, I don't want them to see me this way.” I reply.

Luna snorts. “They heard you scream and pass out from the magical absorption, your current condition is no different.”

“Fine, what about the mares?”

“They are fine also, but I will ask. How are you feeling?” Luna asks, leaning in and placing a hoof on my shoulder. “You absorbed changeling magic, even we ponies don't know much about it.”

“I feel funky and like I’m drained but apart from that not much else.”

“No pain or tightness?”

“Only when I see your flank.” I laugh, only to cough seconds later. “Ow!”

“I take that as a yes then.” Luna smiles. “You had us worried John, you had me worried. Please in the future, be more careful.”

I nod. “I'll try.” I look down to the straps. “How about taking these off now.” I wiggle my arms.

“Sorry about those but you came in thrashing about, you also knocked out two of my guards.”

“I guess it must have been painful.” I say, sitting up as Luna unties my bindings.

“How are you feeling now?”

“I feel better, my magic is returning quickly.” I rise off the bed and stand up. “You know, this is freaky! Moments ago I felt weak and drained, now I feel normal.”

“Your MAR is unique, it is quite remarkable. In a few moments you should be restored, though your attacks may be somewhat weakened still.” Luna says walking over and levitating two items to me. “I think you would like these back?”

I reach out and take my ring and sword. “Thanks Luna, I guess I need to tell my friends I’m fine.”

“Would you like me to go with you?” Luna asks, giving me the puppy eyes. Fuck.

“If you wish, I have no objections.”

Luna let's out a squee of delight and falls in beside me, I reach for the door but stop as I feel light headed, I turn to Luna and see she has a weird glow about her. The glow was like an aura of magic but more subtle, like it wasn't supposed to be there normally. I shook my head and opened the door.

“Are you alright John?” Luna ask, noticing my hesitation. “You look slightly pale.”

“Yeah, just felt light headed all of a sudden, guess I'm not hundred percent yet.”

“Well take it easy, you went through a major magical experience.”

“Don't worry about me, It'll pass.” I say, holding up a hand and waving it. “Besides, if anything goes wrong your here, so I'm in safe hooves!”

“Your right.” Luna replies, heading for a door across a large hall. “Your companions are in here, so are the ponies you rescued.”

“All of them?” I ask.

“Yes, why?”

“Nothing! Just asking!” I say, pushing open the crystal door. Before I could speak Luna shouts out.

“Hey everypony! Your hero's here!” I give Luna a glare as she walks away. “Have fun!” Luna states and closes the door behind her.

I look out over the room, fifteen mares all staring at me, with two stallions in the back both seem to be scared shitless. There was a weird silence for several minutes before half the room charged at me and knocked me over.

“Watch the wings!” I shout.

Seven mares sit around me as three hug my chest, if Applejack saw me now, I would be dead. Though one of the mares she would understand. I look down and spot Octavia with her forelegs wrapped around my waist. The other two I had no idea who they were but both were crystal ponies.

“Hi....Ladies....” I gasp, my face turning red. “How's it going?” The three mares let go and sit up by my side. “I guess that's thanks for saving you I take it?” The mares giggle. “I take that as a yes then!” I say standing up and ruffling the mane of the mare nearest to me. I turn my gaze to my two stallion friends, I laugh as some mares were trying to thank them, though to my companions horror they were too thankful. “Hey guys!” I shout over. “Having fun?”

“I would be! But the mares are too thankful, any other day and I would be happy!” Straight Shot replies. “I would seriously like some help over here!”

“M-Me too sir! I am feeling very awkward!” Topaz adds.

I chuckle before addressing the mares. “Ladies! I'm sorry but I need my fellow companions back!” The mares all let out a collective 'aww'. “I know but I promise I'll bring them back!” The mares all perk up, and step aside so my friends can exit. Stardust was not around though. “Hey where's Stardust?” I ask Topaz.

“Not sure sir, she left ten minutes ago but hasn't returned.”

“Did she say where she was going?” I ask.

“No sir.” Topaz replies shaking his head.

“I did hear her saying about some unfinished business.” Straight Shot states.

“Unfinished business?” Straight Shot nods. “I better go find her then, she needs to be here.”

“Where should we wait for you sir?” Topaz asks.

I look around and notice an empty room. “Wait for me in there.” I point to the empty room. “I'll be back soon.” My two companions nod and head into the room, I turn around and head down the only corridor.

I continue on until I reach a large lobby area, ponies of every kind were running about, some looking more flustered than others. I slowly take in the area, I smile as my gaze falls on two guards talking too a pony behind a large hotel type reception area. I make my way over to the guards, as I approach the pony behind the desk points to me. The guards turn around.

“Commander! It is warming to see you up and about.” One of the guards says bowing his head. The other guard follows suit.

“Good day gentlecolts.” I say bowing my head. “I was wondering if you have seen a friend of mine? She's a pegasis about yay high and sporting a green coat with a mint green mane.” I continue, hovering my hand above the ground.

“Yes, we saw a mare bearing that description heading up those stairs about ten minutes ago.” The guard points to a set of stairs across the lobby.

I nod my thanks. “Thank you gents, I have to be on my way.”

“Of course sir! It was an honour talking to you.” The guards salute. I salute back before turning heel and heading to the stairs.

I head up the stairs and notice they lead to an observation area, I reach a set of double doors made of crystal. I push open the doors and step out onto the viewing platform, I take a quick look around and spot Stardust sitting by herself. I make my way over but stop as I hear her talking to herself.

“Wake up Stardust! He won't like you! He's taken!” Stardust sighs. “I guess it's for the best. What stallion like him would want me? He's going to be a commander, and I'm worthless.”

I hear enough to step forward. “If you think that, then maybe I’ve made the wrong choice.”

Stardust stiffen up and snaps around. “John! I...”

“I heard what you said Stardust.”

“Oh....” Stardust looks down.

“And your not worthless, far from it. That's why I chose you, you are strong and like me you let your emotions get in the way.” I say. I walk over to the crystal railing and place my hands on them. I look over the city and frown as several spouts of smoke rise out of destroyed buildings. “Stardust, I like you as a friend, I admit it may never get higher than that. But would that be a bad thing?”

Stardust shakes her head slowly. “I guess not....”

“You are a great pony, you just can't see it!” I put a hand on Stardust's head. “You will make a stallion very happy, you just need to find it in yourself to say 'I can do this!'”

“You really think I can be more than what I am?”

“Wouldn't be much of a friend if I didn't think so!” I turn back to the double doors. “Now let's get back, we have ponies to save.” Stardust nods and trots happily beside me as we head back.

We reach the room I told the others to wait when I hear Luna's voice coming from inside.

“....You will follow him without question?” Luna says.

“Yes your highness, he has proven to me that he is a capable leader, I will follow him to my death if he should ask.” Topaz answers.

“I'm not on the follow to death route but I agree with Topaz, he has proven himself.” Straight Shot replies. “Besides he has good hindsight, and a strong sword arm.”

“Thank you, I'm glad you approve of him.” There's a small pause. “I should get going.”

“Of course princess, and we promise you, John is in capable hooves with us.” Topaz states.

“I'm sure he is.”

I stand up as Luna exits the room upon seeing me her ears fold back slightly, but she recovers.

“John? I see you have found Stardust?”

“Yes I have Luna, and if you have any quarrels with me I would like if you came to me.”

“You weren't supposed to hear that.” Luna says.

“I just got the last bits, but if you had doubts why not say something? You Princess Luna for heavens sake, your my superior.”

“I don't have doubts, I just wanted to see what your companions thought of you.” Luna looks to Stardust. “And judging by the happy expression on you, you approve of John aswell?”

“I do your majesty, I would follow him anywhere!” Stardust replies, stomping a hoof on the ground.

“Then you have assembled a strong team my champion, don't let it down.”

I nod. “I won't! Though there is one thing!” Luna raises an eyebrow. “Do you know where the changeling leader is?”

“I do.” Luna states, her horn glows and a large scroll appears before me. “It's marked with the changelings main stronghold, go with my blessing.” Luna bows as I take the scroll out of the air.

“Your not coming?” I ask.

Luna shakes her head. “I have forces still fighting in nearby areas, the changeling leader is all yours.” On that note Luna walks away leaving me and Stardust looking to one another.

“I guess we need to form a plan then?” Stardust asks.

I nod. “Yep, let's get this started!”

Me and stardust enter the room, where for the next hour we plan our attack down to the last detail, leaving just enough room for any sudden changes to take place. I knew this was going to be another challenge for me to pass.

“Come on!” Twilight sits back down on her haunches as the seventh spell fails to breaks her cage. “Why is my magic not working?”

“These bars have runes!” Twilight looks up and over to a mare across the room, the mare was a unicorn and by the shine of her coat she was a crystal pony. “You'll just burn out trying.”

“But why can't I sense the runes?” Twilight asks.

“They are magic even we crystal ponies haven't seen, they are immune to our senses and are powerful enough to keep even you here.” The mare says, pointing at Twilight.

“Me? You know me?”

“Every pony knows you! Twilight Sparkle, you helped to save the Crystal Empire from sombra when he came back. You are quite known here.”

Twilight blushes. “I'm nopony special, I just done what was right.”

“But still, we all owe you our lives, even if they are short lived.” The mare says, looking to the floor.

“Don't you worry, my brother is out there and he will save us!”

“Your brother? But the changeling queen has him locked up with Princess Cadence.”

“Not that brother!” Twilight states causing the mare to look confused.

I rush up to the buildings edge, and peek my head around. I turn back to my only companion.

“You ready?”

“As I’ll ever be sir!” Topaz replies.

I reach to my chest a press a small red gem. “You guys in position?”

“Yes sir!” Comes a whispered reply from the gem, I have to ask Luna to make these for my guards, these communication gems are sweet. Much to my chagrin though they are restricted to elite shoulders. Straight Shot had to 'acquire' these for us to use.

I unclasp my sword and activate the blade, I reach up and press my helmet on too.

“Ok Topaz, you know what to do!”

“Got it sir!” Topaz says before he jumps out from behind the building. I peek and see the changelings guarding the front door of our target all snap to look at him. “Oi! You scaly bugs! Come and get me!” I watch as half the guard move off and chase Topaz down.

I hoped Topaz would be fine as now there's only six changelings to deal with. I press the red gem twice signalling the attack, I grin as I leap out from behind my cover and charge the nearest changeling. The look of horror on it's face was priceless.

Twilight sits back against the wall as a changeling enters the chamber. The bug walks passed all the cages noting the mares in each one. That is until he stops right in front of Twilight's cage.

“You are a precious one aren't you?” The changeling rasps. “It will be fun breeding you!”

“What do you mean, breeding?” Twilight asks.

“You ponies are so ignorant, they teach you nothing about us ,yet they expect you to fear us!”

“I don't fear you!” Twilight shouts. “I beat your kind once before, and I'll do so once again.”

“You won't be able to fight back, not when you are full of eggs.” The changing rasps out a laugh. “Yes, that is the fate that awaits all of you.” The changeling turns so all the other mares could hear. “All of you are going to bear the future generations of our race, but most of you will not survive, same really. All of you are such fertile stock.” The changeling grins at Twilight and heads back to the door from which he entered. “But don't worry, the birthing is quick and painless.” The changeling laughs before exiting.

“Well, at least we now know why they want us!” The same mare across from Twilight says.

Twilight looks up to the ceiling of the chamber. “Please John, help us.” Twilight lowers her head but perks up when a thought enters her head. “Of course! I can send him a signal.” Twilight thinks for several moments. “It should work but will the runes block it.” Twilight shrugs and begins channelling her magic into her horn. The mare in the chamber all shout but Twilights magic blocks everything out. After a minute of channelling, Twilight's horn let's out a shockwave of energy that slowly ripples outward. “Heh, I'm here brother....” Twilight says before collapsing in her cage.

I lift my sword up and stab it through the skull of the prone changeling, another lunges at me but a well time tackle from Topaz brings it down. We have been fighting changeling every step since entering the building, I have no idea what this place was before but the alien style organic stuff on the walls indicated we were in the right place.

“Everypony report!” I says, as the tide of changelings subsides.

“I'm fine!” Topaz states to my side.

“I'm present!” Straight Shot answers, picking himself off the floor. I noticed he has some deep cuts on his face and one on his flank.

“I'm also doing well.” Stardust adds, pushing a changeling corpse off her legs. “Where did they all come from?”

“I'm guessing they are all the changelings that fled from the royal guards, all they did was fly back here and bolster the defences.” I say. “Quite intelligent if you ask me.”

My companions all nod. “It seems the changelings prefer strength in numbers.” Topaz states kicking a dead changeling.

“Ha! Didn't work this time though did it!” Straight Shot replies. “Anyway, what's our next move sir?”

“I think we should.....” I stop as large magical surge hits my senses, there was only one pony I knew with that magical signature. “...Twilight.” I whisper. I immediately sprint down a corridor, leaving my companions shouting after me.

I kill three changelings by blasting two and slicing the third as I kept on running, I could hear hooves behind me signalling my friends weren't far behind. I rounded a corner and came face to face with a large door and four grinning changelings.

“Your attack ends here!” One speaks up. “The mares are ours!”

I grind my teeth. “You won't be leaving here alive! Let alone take any mares with you! And as for your leader, she'll die soon enough!” I shout.

“You cannot kill our leader, she is never ending! The form she has now is but a shell, her mind and greatness will live on!”

I ignored the changeling and pointed my sword at him.

“So, how do you want to die? Slow or quick?” The changelings all charge me. “Quick it is then!”

Twilight lifts her head up, the spell she used earlier had left her drained but the sound of fighting nearby rose her. She tries to get to her feet but her body just didn't have the energy, it didn't help that she hadn't had anything to eat in hours.

“Twilight? Are you ok?” Twilight shifts her gaze. “Oh my gosh, you had me worried there!”

“W-What's going on?” Twilight asks, her head was pounding.

“Seems like somepony is kicking flank!” The mare replies. “And judging by the sound of it, the changelings are losing.”

Twilight was going to say something but was stopped by the chamber door blasting inwards, followed by the smoking remains of the changing from earlier. Twilight smiled.

“Not breeding anything now are you?” She whispers to the corpse.

“Twilight!?” A shout causes Twilight to turn to the door. “Twilight!?” A figure enters through the smoke, a sword in one hand will the other was glowing bright yellow. “Twilight you in here!?”

“Over here!” Twilight says, the figure turns towards her.

The figure runs up to the cage dropping it's sword.

“Twilight! Give me second!”

“Wait John!” It was too late, the figure grabs the cage and the magic is the figures arms cause the runes to react.

I dodge the first changeling and catch the second in mid air, smashing it's head into the nearest wall. I turn just in time to stop the attack of a third changeling. The other two changelings were being set on by my companions who had caught up. I now could focus on the changeling in front of me, I noticed it was the one who spoke seconds before.

“Haven't got much to say now have you, fucker!” I growl, my hands were glowing. “Come on! Let's see what you got!”

The changeling lunges forward and blasts a green bolt at me. I block the blast with my sword. I lower my blade just in time to see the changeling fly at me. I raise my sword up and the changeling slides point forward on to it. I was as the changeling slide down my blade, it coughs up green ooze.

“You picked on the wrong ponies!” I spit in it's face and place my hand on it's chest, in one blast of magic I force the changeling off my sword and send it flying through the door it was guarding. I turn to see my companions finish off their targets.

I head for the door and step inside. “Twilight!?” I get no response. “Twilight!?” I shout again. “Twilight you in here!?”

“Over here!” I hear come from my right. I turn and see Twilight laying on her side.

I run over dropping my sword as I ran up to a cage. Looking at the cage it didn't seem that sturdy. “Twilight! Give me a second!” I reach up and grab the bars, Twilight says something but I didn't hear it, I cry out as something reacts to my touch and cause the whole cage to electrocute me. I let go of the bars and notice my armour was smoking. “What the fuck was that!?” I ask.

“They have runes! Your magic won't work!” I turn to look at a mare in a cage across from me. I see my companions enter the chamber.

“Get all the cages open, and for gods sake don't use magic!” All my friends nod. I bend down and pick my sword back up, I approach the lock on Twilight's cage and give it a swing. I recoil as the runes react to my sword and force the sword to fly out my hands. “Fuck! Of course the swords magic!” I look around for anything that I can use, finding nothing I let out a scream of frustration. Twilight was laying two feet from me and I couldn't get her out, then a thought came to mind, I absorbed changeling magic maybe it could help.

I looked down to my arms, I was nervous, but the changelings made it look easy. I held out my right arm and imagined it morphing into a blade, I was shocked to see my yellow magic turn green. My arm suddenly flashed and it was replaced with a green blade, seriously my fucking arm was now a green blade of energy coming out the elbow. I looked down to see Twilight wide eyed, I smiled.

“You may want to close your eyes.” I told Twilight, lifting the green blade above my head. I brought the blade down and the whole cage sparked as the runes overloaded and the lock was broken open. I looked at my arm and imagined it returning to normal. Much to my relief it did change back. “Twilight! Don't move!”

“It's ok, I'm just drained, very hungry.” Twilight whispers, I reach down and place my finger on her nose. I let some of my magic flow out and into Twilight.

“Better?” I ask as Twilight starts to get to her hooves.

“Better.” Twilight looks at my arm. “H-How did you do that?”

“I'm not sure, I just thought about my arm changing into a blade and it happened.”

“But it's high level magic! Changelings do it easily because they are born with the capability.” Twilight says.

“I came here to rescue you and all these other mares, We'll talk about this later ok?” I say standing up.

“Ok.”

I went to all the other cages using the changeling blade to break them open, the mares all trot out and hug me. I was glad they were safe so I ordered my companions to lead them out to safety. Stardust protested but I convinced her that they were all needed to protect them, I however had the leader to find.

I walked through several halls, my red gem on my chest blinked twice to signal the rest had got out safely. Then I reached my objective, the organic stuff on the walls had to end at a certain point, all I had to do was follow it. I came across a large door guarded by two hulking changelings. I stepped towards them one hand glowing and the other holding my sword.

“Two choices, run or die!” I said simply.

The changelings looked at each other then vanished as they teleported out.

“Good choice.” I say before blasting open the door, subtlety was long gone.

I walked into a chamber that had several pods hanging from the ceiling, they were all empty. I felt that this room was much colder then the rest of the building, I shivered as I walked to the center.

“You have come at last.”

I turn as the voice echoes off the walls.

“You the changelings leader?”

“I am that yes, but you are far more interesting.”

“I have come to stop you! Show yourself so this may end.” I say.

“End? This will never end, I am forever lasting.” The voice states.

“Not after today you won't be, I will hunt you down, maybe not now but I will.”

“Please, many ponies have said that and all have fallen.”

“I'm sick of talking to an echo! Face me or I destroy the building! I don't think you can escape a blast that powerful.” I state.

“Fine! But it will do you no good, I will be back.” The voice stops as I hear a fluttering coming from the ceiling. I continue to stare as this large changeling comes down from the ceiling, I could tell it was a she, the slim figure and long green mane gave it away. “Like what you see?”

I shake my head. “Your a bug, why would I find that interesting.”

The changeling turns and flashes me a pink slit. “Because I have full reproductive capability, I just don't use it.” The changeling walks around me in a tight circle. “There has never been a creature that I considered good enough to sully my insides. But now it looks like I have.” The changeling strokes a insect wing over my back.

“I would never lay with something like you, you hurt the one's I love and you'll pay for it!”

“Oh please! You may have beat my guards but they are but drones, their sole purpose is to die for me, soldiers nothing more.” The changeling walks up and puts her face near mine, I couldn't move. “But you may prove to be a fitting consort, your purpose will be to breed with me and increase the hive.”

“I can't breed with you, I'm not your species.” I say, my body still frozen.

“Why does that matter? Ponies have spells that can temporary alter your body to be compatible.” The changeling notices my expression. “What, you mean they never told you? And all this time you have been trying with your mare friend to make a foal.” The changeling laughs. “And here I was thinking the ponies were your friends.”

“I don't care what you say, you'll say anything to save your life!”

“Save my life? This body is worthless to me, but your body, now that's a different story.”

“I won't do anything with you.”

“You won't have a choice!” The changeling's eyes glow green and I can feel my hand reaching for the blue gem on my neck. “Now let's see what you look like hmm?”

My hand touches the gem and my helmet deactivates. I now feel the breath of the changeling as her face hangs inches from my own.

“Hmm, your better looking than I imagined. And the love I can feel from you is overpowering.” The changeling leans in further and grazes my mouth with hers. “Now my slave, I take you for my own!” The changeling lunges her head forward and connects with my lips, I was surprised to find her lips were soft.

I couldn't pull away my body was still unable to move. The changeling broke the kiss and moved to my neck just above the armour. I felt two sharp stabs bite down on my neck, I cried out and my arm moved. The changeling pulled away and coughed, the liquid that came out of her mouth wasn't green ooze but more like actual blood. She looked down and I followed her gaze, I saw my arm had changed to the green blade and had punched through her chest. The changeling looked back up to me and smiled.

“You will be hers, not now but soon.” The changeling pushed away sliding off my magical blade. She coughs more blood up. “At least, I got to taste you first.” The changeling smiles again before falling over, I knew she was dead.

I could move my body now, I walked over and placed my hand on the changelings side. I felt nothing, I heard cracking sounds and looked up just before a large green pod crashed next to me. I deactivated my sword and clipped it to my belt, I turned and ran back the way I came. The Crystal Empire was safe, the changeling queen was gone.