Vaiawa's whole body shook from love deprivation. She was lying on a hospital bed and Bobby had already informed her that he planned to keep her there until he felt certain that she was ready to be discharged. At first the other Changelings had crowded around her so thickly that Bobby couldn't get to her. They were overjoyed that she had revived, but a couple of harsh words from the hospital's head doctor had herded them across the room until he finished with his miracle patient.

Stationed all around the room were the Humans that Vaiawa had been so willing and eager to help. They all stood around smiling at her miraculous resurrection and Vaiawa was happily soaking up all the love coming off them. It saturated the air, but even with such a thick concentration of it, it was still replenishing her reserves very slowly. She figured it would take several hours for her to return to stop shaking and even after that it would likely take months to restore her to the levels of power she had before.

A pair of beady eyes intently watched from beyond the open window in the room. Rifin was far, far too large to fit into the room, but he had been adamant that he WOULD be able to see his 'sister' any time he wanted while she was recovering. Even peeking through a second story window of the hospital presented no issues for the massive Changeling.

The hour was getting on toward three in the morning and while everybody felt it, none of them wanted to leave Vaiawa. After much repeated asking and even some begging, Bobby finally relented to have cots brought into Vaiawa's room for the Changelings, but in return he demanded silence as he worked to give the brave Changeling a clean bill of health. He performed as many scans with his magic as he could, he studiously went over every inch of Vaiawa's body, he even had the Unicorn doctors perform every type of scan they knew. He had never seen any sort of recovery that even held a candle to what Vaiawa had pulled off.

With a final sigh he turned to the Unicorn doctors, "Thanks for your help here today. I'll see you all tomorrow." He then spoke to Vaiawa as the other doctors departed, "I don't know what to think here. Part of me wants to check your vitals again because I just cannot BELIEVE you managed to recover after being dead for at least seven hours." he sighed and shook his head before continuing, "But... I can't argue what I've seen with my own two eyes. If this had happened anywhere else I would have been doing my best to prove the impossibility of you somehow coming back to life after what happened." he rubbed his temples with his hands, "And right now I'm tired as all get-out so without further ado, good night and I'll see you in the morning. If I find out that you did not stay plastered to that mattress all night so help me I will tie you down and keep you here till you die of old age." He leveled a very serious stare at Vaiawa, "Doctor's orders. Am I understood?"

Vaiawa nodded cheerfully, "Yep!" She imitated a mock salute, "Yes sir."

Bobby grumbled to himself as he closed the door. The C.W.G. officers bid Vaiawa goodnight and followed Bobby's example, leaving only the Changelings in the room. Vaiawa was sitting up in the bed, but she laid back down once the last Human left, "I didn't think it was possible." She admitted to the others, "I always thought it was a myth."

Alana had told Bobby that she would stay with Vaiawa throughout the night and was the first to respond, "I did too. It doesn't matter though, it happened and that's what matters right now."

The rest of the Changelings murmured their agreement. Losing one of their own had been a terrible blow. They knew that other Changelings had survived but they had no idea where they might have been. They had very few numbers to work with and the ones who had stayed with Mario in the forest had all agreed that once they had enough love stored up they would transform into the genders they needed to increase their numbers. They had so little to work with but they were adamant that their species would survive.

Rifin tried to see further into the room, but ended up bumping his horn into the side of the building, "I've considered what the Humans offered me earlier. I'm going to go with them and help them get their... people back. They have offered us shelter and safety when they had no reason to do so. They are kind to us and they value us as if we were their own. The Bloodmages cannot touch me with their foul powers, if nothing else I can be a... big distraction. Heheheheh. We owe these Humans a great deal and I intend to do all I can for them."

Murmurs of agreement met his statement and Vaiawa spoke up, "I'm going too..."

The other Changelings burst into yelling over one another, all protesting Vaiawa's participation in the rescue. One voice won out over them all, "You cannot go Vaiawa." Rifin declared with finality.

Alana picked up on his thoughts and continued, "You have a purpose and a future here. You can reproduce and lead. You have it in you Vaiawa. You defied the Queen's orders to attack Canterlot. You have a strength of character that the rest of us lack. We DID attack Canterlot, we mindlessly followed orders, but you stood fast for what you believed was the right thing. I doubt it was chance that you turned out to be correct in your decision. Of all of us here, you have the greatest potential to become a Queen. I don't know if I speak for all of us, but I would follow you."

The other Changelings clamored in agreement. Vaiawa held up her right foreleg, "I had a different thought actually. It is one I have been considering ever since I arrived here. Here among the Ponies and Humans we have more love than we know what to do with. There is enough for each of us to become a Queen. We could increase our numbers and be far more powerful than we are now. None of us needs to control the others. We can all be equals here and we can guide ourselves. As Queens we would still produce eggs and we could give birth as well. Our former Queen overpowered Princess Celestia. Granted the Princess was undoubtedly holding back for the safety of her subjects, but Chrysalis became that powerful from the love of just one single Pony. Imagine how powerful we could be with a whole town's worth of love for us. The Humans and Ponies wouldn't have to dedicate and risk their lives to protect the population. We could do it alone. We could ensure their safety and our need for love would ensure that we couldn't abuse our power. Rifin is correct, we do owe them a great deal and I believe this is the best way to show our appreciation. We gain the ability to reproduce much more easily and we can protect those who were willing to take us in when we had nowhere else to go. Once word spreads, it will draw more Changelings here and we can all grow."

"But what is some of us try to steal love the way our former Queen did?" Alana asked cautiously.

"The Humans are powerful in their own right. Their minds are keen and they are inventive beyond anything we have ever seen before. I am certain that if one of us were to abuse our power that the Humans would find a way to put us down, even if the rest of us did nothing. I don't believe we have seen even the smallest inkling of what the Humans are capable of. To me, they are an unknown power of incredible potential. Should anybody rouse them to action... I shudder to think of what they could do if pressed. Now that I have given it some thought Rifin, I realize you're right. I don't need to go with them." She grew quiet and contemplative then vocalized one of the truest facts ever spoken by any living thing, "After what the Bloodmages have done... I almost pity them. When, not if but when, the Humans find the Bloodmages I'd be surprised if any of their bodies will even be recognizable as anything but meat."

* * *

Morning came, and with it came a bustle of activity. Darryl Hord awoke, ate breakfast, and went straight to the C.W.G. Headquarters. He filled out the paperwork to issue firearms to the people and Pony who were going. He selected automatic rifles, pistols, submachine guns, and shotguns. He secured holsters and straps for each and every one. He counted out clips and magazines and loaded each and every one to the max. He placed the armaments in the safekeeping of Eduardo then headed off to secure packs, food, blankets, canteens and all the other essentials that had been drilled into his head by years in the corps.

* * *

Captain Joyner hobbled to the door of the room he needed and knocked soundly. The door opened and he limped into the room and closed the door behind himself. Princess Luna was still lying on the bed, but the bandages had been removed from her legs. She was sitting up, awake and alert, "Good morning Captain. Have you come to see the prisoner?"

Mike wasted no time mincing words, "I need you to heal me with magic." he stated bluntly, "I'd be more than happy to sit around and heal up naturally, lord knows I could use the break, but I need to go with my officers to rescue our people. My officers need a leader and while I know Darryl could do it well enough to get by, I need to be there in person."

Luna's mouth turned down in a frown, "Captain," she began quietly, "While I understand and support the rescue of your people... be sure you do not do this for revenge. Take it from somepony who once allowed her hurt feelings control her. If you take extreme action against others, you lose a part of yourself in so doing. I am not asking that you be particularly gentle with the Bloodmages, but I do ask that you do ensure you do not kill needlessly." She turned her head toward the unconscious Diamond Dog on the other side of the room, "I would be a fool to think that this mission of yours can be accomplished without bloodshed but... I am begging you Captain... I am begging you not as a Princess to a Captain, but as Luna to Michael Joyner. Do not let the lust for vengeance be the deciding factor in your actions lest you become something worse than the Bloodmages who have wronged you. I am not giving any sort of an order or command and if you chose to kill each and every living thing when you find them... I cannot say that I would fault you for doing so. All that I ask is that you at least consider what I have said, please."

Mike lifted his chin and looked at Luna evenly, "I'll use my best judgement, but I make no promises."

Luna closed her eyes and nodded, "Very well. Come on over and I will heal you."

"Make it a double." said a voice from the door.

The Captain and Princess both turned and gaped at the sight before them. Rose Thorn, still attached to her I.V. stood in the doorway, "With all due respect Princess, fix me up too." she tilted her head to the left and cracked her neck, "I swore to protect the citizens of this town and I don't feel like laying down on the job like I was last night." she faced Mike and threw a sharp salute, "Humans gave me the chance to fulfill my calling in life when you allowed mares to serve in the guard sir. Permission to give something back?"

Mike saluted the mare back and smiled, "Permission granted, Sargent."

* * *

Chris Vacca, Hard Stone, R.J. Brinsin, Andrew Masonete, Kaneesha Edwards, Full Spectrum, and Rifin were gathered in front of the Community Welfare Guardian Headquarters. They were stuffing packs full of food and equipment in preparation to depart.

Darryl was supervising and participating in the preparations when Hard Stone suddenly looked up at him, "Lieutenant, I... I would like to speak to you in private if you please."

Darryl looked up from his own pack, "Can it wait until we're on the road?"

Hard Stone looked down at his hooves, "By technicality sir, we ARE on the road." He looked back up with a small smile.

Darryl chuckled, "True enough I suppose. What's on your mind?"

"Permission to stay behind in town. I do not feel that I should be a part of this rescue mission." Hard Stone admitted.

Darryl rose from his kneeling position and realized the others had stopped packing to listen in on the conversation. He ignored their rubber-necking and addressed Hard Stone again, "What makes you say that?"

The stout Earth Pony scuffed his right forehoof against the cobblestones, "I am uncomfortable with the idea of taking the offensive like this. I agree that the civilians should be rescued, they didn't deserve what happened to them, but that isn't what I became an officer to do. I became an officer to keep the peace and utilize lethal force only when necessary. You know I will willingly lay down my life for New Humansville and her people, but this assignment feels too aggressive. It feels too much like vigilante justice. If you order me to go I will, but I would much rather stay here."

Darryl didn't even need half a moment to come to a decision, "I'm not going to order you to do this Hard Stone. If you feel this isn't the thing for you then you are free to step back and allow somebody else the opportunity to go in your place. I don't want to force anybody to do this."

Hard Stone threw a smart salute, "Permission to begin my scheduled patrol sir?"

Darryl saluted back, "Granted. Thank you for your honesty." He knelt back down next to his pack and continued stuffing it in military fashion.

R.J. spoke without looking up, "We still need somebody with Earth Pony strength. You said Artex volunteered?"

"He did." Darryl confirmed also without looking up, "But he's not going to be in any shape to do what we need to. We'll finish up here then go find somebody to fill the position."

A deep rumble sounded behind to Darryl, "I can carry a thousand times what any of you can. Let me carry your packs." Rifin offered.

Darryl shook his head, "Where would we strap them down on you Rifin?"

"I can form holes in my chitin. I can still make small changes to my body, even stuck in this form. It will grow back when I want it to. Besides, I could use the affection if I am to assist you. My body requires a great deal of love to maintain. I have been as weak as a kitten and if I am to help I need my strength." Rifin affirmed.

"Then form holes, lots of holes. If we're careful I think we can ride you. I'll get some rope once we're done here. We appreciate your willingness to help us Rifin." Darryl said.

"Let's cut the chatter people. I'm pretty sure we've got a lot of ground to cover." Mike said walking up with his trident in hand. The energy blades extending from the tines were already out due to his passive Noun and Verb. He set the weapon down on the ground several feet away from everybody else.

Rose Thorn took up her position at Hard Stone's pack and continued packing, "Yeah we need to get a move on."

The arrival of the only two members of the C.W.G. who had survived the previous night was met with cheers from the others. They continued packing their things until they were finished. Darryl rose to his feet and looked over to Mike, "I'm going to find some rope and cloth for harnesses. Rifin volunteered to carry both us and our supplies."

Mike nodded, "Go for it. I'll start up a breaching plan while you're gone and we'll fill you in when we return." Looking around he realized they had an audience, "Looks like some folks want to watch us." He shrugged, "Let them." He then turned to his strike team, "Rose, I know you've been practicing with the gyrojet weapons we've modified for Kavim. Do feel confident about wielding one?"

Rose Thorn smirked dangerously, "My only concern is running out of ammo. I've used every type, but I'm best with the..." she looked to the sky trying to remember the acronym, "The... selective fire, automatic type... I think that's what they're called. I've logged in thirty hours of time on the shooting range even though most of that was spent using the guns on the single shot setting." She looked at the ground shyly, "Are there any of the padded leg-mounted rigs available? Those are much more comfortable than the ones with straps."

Mike nodded, "You bet. Go requisition one from the armory and grab a new suit of armor."

As Rose Thorn trotted away Mike looked to the others, "Alright, we need specific jobs done and each of you are specialists in your own way. Andrew, I know you're here since Kaneesha is too. I want you on recon. You're effectively invisible until you do something. Once we find the Bloodmages' operating base I want you to scout ahead and get us an idea of the layout."

Mike couldn't see it, but Andrew nodded seriously. The Captain then turned to Kaneesha, "Kaneesha, I want you on overwatch. You've got the sharpest senses of any of us and I know you've been practicing with the rifles once in a while. I want you as our sniper."

Kaneesha crossed her arms and nodded. Mike then turned to the next person, "R.J. you're going to be our air superiority. We know the Bloodmages have at least one Pegasus with them and it's a safe bet they have more than that. I want you to be ready to handle whatever we need you to. What's your weapon of choice?"

R.J. held up his hands, "My favorite is my own magic, but I'm pretty passable with a pistol when I need to be. Just give me that and a couple of mags and we'll call it good."

Mike nodded, "Sounds like a plan." He then turned to Chris, "What about you Chris? You haven't spent much time on the range at all. What are you going to use?"

"Just my magic and my body. I don't need anything else. You saw what I did last night, what do you think?" Chris answered.

Mike held up his hands in a motion of surrender, "Fair enough. You're our movement specialist. Any place we need to get into or out of is all you."

"That leaves our Sorcerer and tracker. Tamika, we may need you in a variety of positions so be ready when things get crazy. Your magic is flexible and those of us with military experience already know that no plan survives first contact with the enemy. I know you don't much care for guns so what weapon are you bringing, if any?" Mike asked.

"Only thing I need is my mind. Anything else would slow me down. By the way I thought you should know, I've been practicing enough with my magic that most of my Nouns and Verbs are a 2. My Energy is a 3, I practice with it a lot." Full Spectrum explained smugly.

Mike looked around at his team, "As you all know I'm in command. I'm electing Hord as my second in command and Masonete as my third. If we get separated and one of them is with you, obey their orders like you would mine." He then turned to the one individual he had not addressed yet, "Rifin, I need you as our transportation and if we get surrounded I'm giving you free'reign to make a mess of our enemies. If they have houses, will you be willing to do some demolition?"

Rifin smiled, showing off all his teeth, "That's no job! That's fun! If you need me for anything else just ask."

Rose Thorn emerged from the C.W.G. Headquarters in a new suit of the new experimental plated armor Luna had sent them and with a gyrojet S.M.G. fitted to the rig on her right foreleg, "Sargent Thorn reporting for duty sir."

"Rose, I want you and Darryl to be our front-line fighters. You're strong and tough and he's experienced and efficient. If we have to withdraw I want you covering our flanks. Can you do that?" Mike asked.

Rose Thorn sat down and lifted her front half, pulling back the bolt on her weapon with her left forehoof, "Good and done Captain. Let's go get our people back."

Keep an eye out for typos.