Author's Notes:

Here is some FO:E to tide over the long wait for the next chapters for Apocalyptica. I apologize for late uploads. I have been doing most of the editing by myself on both stories and I can get really distracted if I let my mind wander while editing.

I found myself awake into pitch blackness. My breathing was all I could hear. Or was it? I could hear something muffling. It was quiet. Then, it got louder. I tried moving my legs, but something was keeping me from moving at all. That was when I remembered. Oh fuck me! I remember us being caught into those strange looking vines and being vomited on. I felt sick. Almost as if I had woken up from a terrible hangover. Which came to my next thought.

What in the hell is going!? Those plants managed to spit acid... for some reason, they ended up encasing us into… something. Then, I heard the knocking. It was quiet, but there. I heard more muffling. The next thing I knew, something scrunched in front of me. Almost as if something had pierced whatever I was in. Not only that, I felt a sharp tip of something on my muzzle. I heard it slide down and finally I was suddenly blinded by a bright light.

I immediately took the opening and gasped for air, lunging out of the cocoon and falling to the ground. I must have startled somepony, because the next thing I heard was the sound of guns being cocked. I gasped and coughed, feeling the musty familiar air of the Wasteland reach my lungs. Only, something was different about it.

“Kill the fucking thing!” I heard someone shout.

“No, don’t!!” I heard another voice chime in. I tried to get a good look, but my vision was all blurry. “Hold on… it seems different than the others.”

“Where are my friends?” I managed to rasp. I heard more guns being cocked.

“Did it just speak?” I heard another voice say. Of course I can speak! What am I? A freaking bloatsprite? These voices were really getting on my nerves now.

“Now just a moment you three!” I heard the second voice say again. “Let me just see if my theory is correct.” I heard hesitant hoof steps heading toward my direction. “Who are you?"

I coughed again and through choking words, I managed.

“Courier Sixteen of the Crystal Express.” I rasped. There were slight murmurs.

“Courier...” I heard whoever was speaking to me shift slightly. “What is your name?” Without so much as missing a beat I immediately replied.

“Courier.” I said. That’s when I heard the voices again.

“Courier? As in the Courier. Or the Savior of the Roads? That Courier?” I heard a female voice say. I nodded, with a hint of annoyance.

“Yes! I’m that Courier!” I said. This was really pissing me off. Almost the entire Wasteland knows me, so why is it that I’m still not used to ponies recognizing me? I felt something tap the side of my temple.

“Bullshit! You are just one of those damned changelings! What if you are just using his name to just get out of this?” a gruff voice said. I was about to retort when the calm voice of the second one spoke.

“Because, Courier is a damn stubborn mare if I had ever met one.” He said. I blinked, my vision slowly returning to me. I then gasped as my vision came back. That voice… that face… the cool demeanor and the grey hide with slick black mane.

“Comp?” I said. The stallion winked at me.

“So you do remember me.” He said with a smile. Oh goddesses…. Comp? Now that I could get my bearings, I noticed four other ponies in the group. One was a lightly green mint colored mare with a white mane and tail and blue eyes. Another was a gruff looking brown buck with a 5 o’ clock shadow and tired eyes in combat armor. The other two were sitting behind terminals behind both sides of Comp. one was a stallion with blue hide and white mane while the other was a mare that had the similar color. I guessed them to be twins of some kind.

As I looked around, we were what looked like a safe house bunker. Then, my attention turned back to Comp. He gave me a cool look.

“So… long time no see I guess.” He smirked. “I bet you have a lot of questions to ask. So feel free. We have time.” I did. In fact, I had so many questions. And I knew where to start first.

“What happened to you after all those years?” I asked. Comp rubbed his chin.

“Well… that’s a bit of a long story. But to sum it up, I guess I met a changeling larva and he took my form. Before I knew it, I was surrounded by changelings and taken to their kingdom.” He said nonchalantly. I balked a little. He nickered. “And there’s the expression I remember everytime we sparred. So you really are the little filly.” He said. Then, he looked me up and down and furrowed his brows. “Although… I doubt you were a bug the last time.” I opened my mouth to reply, then shut it before arching a brow.

“A… bug?” I asked. Now that I think about it, I was feeling a little… weird. Almost as if I had something growing on my back. I looked over my shoulder and gapped. What should have been my charcoal hide was now a leather snaky carapace. I could see the wing protruding out of my barding. I blinked and tapped my teeth. I felt two fangs. My heart suddenly skipped a beat and I fell back on my rump. The older yet still young and handsome looking Comp gave me a concerned look. I couldn’t believe it… I was in fact an actual changeling!

“Wha… bu… how?” I rasped. I patted my head, feeling my fiery colored mane now stringy and leathery. Comp looked over behind him and I followed his gaze. I noticed a black cocoon that had been sliced open with a machete.

“Well… let’s just say I think you’re body had suffered a mutation.” Comp said. He turned to me and held up his left foreleg. He was wearing a PipBuck. He tapped a few buttons before frowning. “Strange.” I felt my heart beating rapidly now.

“What?” I asked, trying to calm myself. Comp narrowed his eyes.

“Despite your body suffering a mutation… it seems you are experiencing normal levels of health and vitals. Almost as if only the outside was affected and not your organs.” He blinked and looked at me before giving me a reassuring smile. “Not that I would want it too. You are lucky to even have survived it at all.” The gruff stallion grumbled before speaking.

“So, you know this bug then?” he asked, twirling his revolver in his magic. Comp looked at the stallion.

“Well, yeah. Ever since we were cadets training in Stable 50.” He said. The blue mare that was behind the terminal next to the stallion furrowed her brows.

“You never mentioned you knew another pony from outside… let alone a mare you knew since childhood.” I felt a glare coming from her. I blinked. Was I sensing some killing intent? I couldn’t help but nicker quietly in my mind. Comp shrugged.

“I guess I was too busy trying to get this place up and running that it crossed my mind.” He said. The mare gave a small pout before looking back at the terminal, leaving the stallion to speak up.

“Err… do forgive my twin sister here. She’s been having trouble sleeping as of late.” He said. That’s when I noticed the fifth pony in the room. The mare had wrinkly purple hide and green glowing eyes. A ghoul. She was cleaning what looked like a carbine with a cloth.

“Well, at least I’m not the only freak in here.” She rasped. I bowed my head. This was all too surreal. I am a changeling. Well, half changeling according to Comp. And speaking of, the young colt that had been traveling with us was indeed a changeling. But… he was a friend. He saved my hide many times. And this pony in front of me was the real deal. The real Comp that the town thought went missing and died. What has happened in the years he was gone?

“C-Comp?” I asked. I noticed my voice was a little hissy. He turned to me and smiled. But it wasn’t just any smile. It was that charismatic smile. The bad boy appeal and the sharp looking mane style. I sighed. “What… happened to you really?” I asked. He arched a brow. “The whole town thought you were dead. I… thought you died too.” Comp gave me a look of concern. It was strange. The memories I have of him might be vague. But when they came back, I felt like I had known him longer than anypony.

And I did. I had known him as my protector when I was a filly. Always sticking up for me when I was not strong enough to handle myself. And when he left and vanished… and the whole incident… seeing him here safe and sound… I felt my heart rise in hope. My first friend I had really looked up too. And then, I felt sad. Guilty even. The fact that I had also forgotten the memories of him and I together as cadets. Training to be the best of the best. He always brought up a challenge whenever we sparred. Making it interesting everytime.

I suddenly threw my legs around him and hugged him tightly. He seemed to stiffen a little in surprise, but then he smiled again and hugged me back. I could feel a tear down my eye. I guess I really did have normal functions of a pony. However, when I noticed I had hugged him, the others were suddenly on edge. The gruff stallion had his revolver pointed at me along with the ghoul. The two behind the terminals were also standing, the stallion earth pony had his 9 MM in his mouth and aimed at me while the earth pony mare was giving me a look that I had a feeling meant I-am-going-to-murder-you. Comp and I pulled away and I sniffled a little.

“Err… sorry for being away for too long.” Comp said with the rub of his head. I smiled and shook my head.

“I’m just glad you didn’t really die out there.” I said. He smirked and gave me that cool bad boy look.

“And I can say the same to yourself. I’ve been hearing about what was going on over in The Strip and The Empire. Getting two gangers coming to a truce. Taking out a big group of Fiends, stopped a wedding from going horribly wrong with a changeling invasion. And many more I’m sure you keep hearing about from others.” He said. I nodded slightly.

“Well… guess you can’t keep family lineage hiding for long… It was bound to catch up to me sooner or later.” I said. Comp arched a brow.

“And do you regret it?” he asked. I sighed and shook my head, smiling now.

“I was at first. But after all I’ve went through… the ponies I’ve met… the friends I made… I can truly feel like I can go ahead and live without too much worry.” I then frowned. My look turning more concerned causing Comp to look at me questiongly.

“Where are my friends?” I asked. The gruff stallion snorted and lowered his revolver before speaking.

“So… you were the group of ponies that we saw.” He said. The room went grim. Comp sighed.

“Well…” he began but then faltered. My panic rose. I put my hooves on his shoulders and made him look me squarely in the eyes. He bit his lip and then sighed. “You… were the only one we managed to grab.” He said. I furrowed my brows.

“Where are they?” I asked. Comp rubbed the back of his head before turning around and trotting over to the terminal that the mare was looking at. She moved aside slightly to let Comp tap a few buttons on it before speaking.

“By the time we arrived, we saw a group of changeling hunters gather the cocoons. Before they managed to take off with you, we fired in on them. Only a couple got away while the rest we finished off.” He said. The stallion nodded.

“We have been trying to figure out what the changelings were really up too. They have been harvesting cocoons that have been holding ponies encased.” He tapped a few buttons. “We have here a map of where the harvests have been happening. And we have specified where they are taking them.” I trotted over to him, feeling my legs a little awkward with each movement. I looked over the shoulder of the stallion, ignoring the hostile look of his sister while glancing over the map. I noticed the markers pinpointing locations around the forest.

I noticed them in a particular circle pattern. I darted my eyes across the screen before turning to the stallion.

“Where were we?” I asked. The stallion adjusted his glasses and pointed at the marker that was south of where we were (taking the unfilled in marker being our location). Surprisingly, we weren’t that far from what appeared to be a strange circular structure. I could only guess that it must be where the changelings were. And where I could probably find… “So… you say you’ve pinpointed where they are taking the cocoons?” The stallion nodded and tapped a few buttons.

The map zoomed out and then I watched as lines closed in on a certain area west of the circular design and planted a marker behind the structure.

“This is where we think they are.” He looked grim now. “But we can’t be sure.” I arched a brow.

“Why not?” I asked. It was his sister’s turn to chime in.

“W-well. Whenever we do go there and try to get close. We would always be attacked by those plants.” She said. Comp nodded.

“Those plants seemed to be the work of the changelings. Almost as if they grew them just to catch unaware ponies. As for taking them to that area…” he looked at me. “Do you know what changelings are capable of?” I sighed and nodded to him.

“You heard it yourself. I managed to fight them off during the wedding of The Family. But…” Comp arched a brow. “Comp… do you remember that changeling that took your form before you were captured?” Comp rubbed his chin and nodded. I bit my lip. “That changeling… he went by your name… your looks… I was tasked to deliver him to an uncharted area of the Empire. But a lot of things happened and well… he became a friend.” The ghoul snorted.

“You befriended a changeling? You must be a sorry excuse of a pony.” She said. I frowned.

“He wasn’t just any changeling!” I retorted, catching her narrowed eyes. “He is a friend! He saved my ass more than I can count! He saved all of us!” I felt my blood boil a little. The ghoul rasped a chuckle.

“And yet, you had no problems killing the lot of them at that wedding.” The gruff stallion said. I stomped my hoof.

“Comp. Isn’t. A bad. Pony.” I hissed. I must have made the rest of them uneasy. “I’ve met my fair share of bad ponies. Comp isn’t like that!” I turned to Comp who seemed a little confused. “That changeling that used your form. He was there with me when I took out those slavers. He was there to warn me about the Windigos. He always made sure we were well prepared before setting out to the dangers. He was there to help me save my home from being raider food. Our home, Comp!” Comp bowed his head, seeing the guilty look in his eyes.

“Comp was there to save me from the Enclave. He was there to support me when I was at my darkest!” I glared at the ghoul. “And when he talked to me about him being the soul sucking monster you claim him out to be, I made it damn well known to him that if he tried anything like that, I would be there to make sure he wouldn’t.” I looked to the gruff stallion now. “I don’t care if you aim guns at me and act like I’m the threat of the whole world. Because after all we’ve been through? Me and my friends are practically the terrors of the north region.”

The gruff stallion and ghoul were quiet now, but they remained stoic. I was seriously getting annoyed by ponies not giving a reaction.

“And despite all that… we shared laughs. We talked. We told stories. Comp was there for all of it. He was there for us.” I turned to the older Comp. “And I intend on getting him back. Me and the rest of my friends are getting our friend back.” I grabbed my PipBuck’s cable and plugged it into the stallions terminal. I downloaded the map and the coordinates before adjusting my gear. Thankfully, when I was encased, my weapons seemed unharmed. I trotted over to the metallic door before I was stopped by Comp.

“Courier, wait.” He said. I looked at him through the corner of my eyes. He sighed. “You’re right… A friend shouldn’t leave one behind like that. I… I shouldn’t have left you like that. I turned my back on you. On my home. All because I wanted to stay here and aid the research of changelings.” He gave me a serious look. “I may not be a courier anymore. But I know where I came from. I know who I am. And I’m your friend. And any friend of yours is a friend of mine.” He smiled and I eased a little. He turned to look at his own companions.

“I take it you changed your mind?” the gruff stallion asked. He nodded and pulled out a strange looking rifle. He cocked it and laid it on his shoulder. His tattered courier duster with the leather protection made his look a little more badass to me, which made me smile.

“We’ve been only scrounging up little bits of our research. If we are to advance it, we have to get our hooves a little dirty. Even if it means risking life and limb. So what do you say we actually do something for a change?” I saw the small smiles from his companions. “Gorge?”

The gruff stallion nodded. Comp turned to the ghoul.

“Killer?” the ghoul tipped her scarf hat.

“Hansel?” the blue stallion with the glasses nodded.

“Gretel?” the mare seemed to flush a little and nodded. He turned to me.

“Alright then. Let’s get going.”

I have never felt so relieved. And what’s more was that I had finally found a pony I’ve known since foal hood. Comp trotted next to me while his companions followed behind me. Thanks to the map I had downloaded on my Pipbuck, we were heading to the last place where me and my friends were encased. Deep down I was worried. Worried that something terrible was going to happen to them.

I wanted to save them. My friends were in danger. They saved me more than I could get myself in trouble for. Now it was my turn to save them. I still have to help them through their own ordeals. But more importantly, I wanted them to come back safe and sound. And then once we were together again, we can finally do all that. As we were creeping through the shrubs and bushes, I couldn’t help but overhear the conversation between the twins Hansel and Gretel.

“… he never told us he knew a mare outside of here!” I heard Gretel whisper to her sibling. Hansel smirked.

“I couldn’t help but think that you are jealous about it.” He said. Gretel balked.

“I-I’m not jealous! Look at her! She’s a changeling! Err… well a pony in changeling skin. But that’s beside the point!” Hansel arched a brow coolly at her.

“Right. Because when she and Comp were talking about their foal hoods, I didn’t notice your jaw drop a little more.” He said with a nicker. I heard a small but light thud and the stallion hissing in pain. “What, I’m just saying?” I heard Gretel "hmph" and that was the end of the conversation. I glanced to Comp.

He didn’t seem to pay any mind to them. In fact, I noticed him looking like he was struggling with his inner thoughts. He made small faces as he thought and I guess I may have nickered too loudly as he looked at me with a confused look.

“What?” Comp asked. I shook my head.

“It’s nothing. Just a lot to think about?” I asked. Comp furrowed his brows before focusing ahead.

“Well… what you said has got me thinking… maybe what I did was entirely for the wrong reason. I made everyone think I was dead when in actuality I was saved by a group of travelers.” He sighed. “And it never came to me to go back home and tell everyone I was okay. To tell you that I was okay.” He looked at me. “But… you seemed to manage fine without me. But that still doesn’t excuse me abandoning my own home.” I shook my head.

“Comp… in all honesty, I…” I rubbed the back of my head. “Well… don’t be angry okay?” Comp arched a brow coolly at me.

“Angry at you? You couldn’t even counter me in combat training.” He said. I rolled my eyes with a smile.

“That’s beside the point.” My smile faltered. “I… have to apologize to you.” He gave me a questioning look now. “I… when you left and everything, I… went through a stage.” I looked at him. “I had something… traumatic happen to me. It scarred me all throughout my life and I guess in all that, my brain decided to lock out the trauma. So… I forgot about you. I couldn’t remember you or everything we have done for that matter.” I sighed. “It was only recently that I suddenly remembered who you were. And why Comp… err… my Comp seemed familiar to me.” Comp put a reassuring hoof around me and smiled.

“Don’t worry about it. I’m sorry for not being there for you through that experience. I wish I could make it up, but… I don’t know how I can face everyone.” He bowed his head as we continued. I glanced at my PipBuck to see how far we were. Still quite a ways to go. “For the longest time, I traveled with those ponies. Learning what the Wasteland has to offer. And for years, I studied under them. Of course, I still remembered my training in cadet class. But seeing these ponies in action… I couldn’t help but felt like I was missing something in my life.” I arched a brow.

“So, these ponies you traveled with… what were they like.” I asked. He smiled.

“Well, I can tell you that they are a strange bunch. But the one that almost stood out the most was a sleek black looking cyber pony.” He said. I blinked. A sleek black cyber pony? He smiled. “She made the strangest friends. She had a stallion and a pegasus mare with her. Both were always acting like her personal care takers or something. Then, there was the striped pony. She had this strange ability to regenerate, no matter how badly she was injured. And despite her injuries, she would always grin evily and slaughter the lot.” He tapped his head. “Then, you had a tall looking alicorn pony. She always carried a minigun around and had the ability to teleport us out of situations if it got hairy. Then, there was a filly they had with them.” He rubbed his chin. “Not sure what happened to her, I kinda went on my own when we separated. Oh, but then they also had this white pony with them. She had a strange fascination with Buck cakes.” I blinked and smiled. Fancy-Lad Buck Cakes? I was liking this pony already. Comp nickered. “Yeah, they were a strange bunch. But in the end, they pulled through everything. I was in awe struck whenever they set something in motion.”

I heard a short cough behind us and we looked to see Gretel frowning at us with Comp’s companions behind her.

“You almost walked past it.” She said a little annoyed. We blinked and looked over to see a tree. Comp moved away and over to the tree, examining it.

“This is where we picked you up.” He said. I looked around and sighed. I could still remember hearing my friend’s muffled screams. I scraped the ground slightly and frowned. No way in hell was I going to let those other changelings get the better of us. I was going to save my friends. No… I am going to save my friends. That was when I heard something crack behind me. We looked, the ghoul and stallion aiming their weapons past me.

“Something’s here.” Gorge said, darting his eyes. He was right. I noticed the bushes moving. My magic reached for Courage. My eyes darted back and forth. That was when I noticed glowing yellow eyes. Then, there was a growl. I crouched low, ready to move. Next, it shot out. A dark looming figure tackled me and we rolled to the ground. I heard the surprised yelps of the others when we came to a stop. The heavy timberwolf growled at me and I stared at it with a serious demeanor.

“Courier!” I heard Comp shout. I held up a hoof.

“Don’t shoot!” I shouted. Before I could say anything else, I felt the sand paper tongue of the timberwolf. I couldn’t help but laugh and nuzzle the muzzle. “I missed you too, boy!” I cooed as I scratched Rex’s stump ears. He wagged his branch tail and rolled over, panting excitedly. I chuckled and rubbed his belly. The other’s were in confused shock. I stopped rubbing his belly and he stood up, wagging his tail. I turned to a shocked Comp.

“Courier? You know the timberwolf?” he asked. I nodded.

“I do. His name is Rex. And before any of you start getting ideas.” I turned and glared at Gorge and Killer, their magic twitching the triggers of their weapons. “He is one of my friends.” Rex whined and nudged my head, making me pet under his chin. “You must have been dead worried about us.” I cooed at him. He whined again before perking up over at Comp. Comp lowered his rifle and gave a weak smile.

“Err… good boy?” He said. Rex went over and whined, cocking his head. I knew exactly what Rex was thinking. I stood next to the wolf and smiled at Comp. Rex licked him and it took Comp by surprise. He scrunched his muzzle and shook away the saliva. Rex did it again, forcing Comp to pet the wolf’s head. As Rex wagged his tail excitedly, Comp eased a little and smiled at the wolf. “How did you manage to tame a timberwolf?” he asked. I shook my head.

“Well, he was already tamed.” I said. “One of my companions is a pegasus mare. She used to belong to the Enclave a long time ago.” I smiled and petted the wolf. “She and Rex knew each other while they were in the Enclave. She seemed to have tamed Rex long before us.” Comp seemed to be impressed as he also pet the wolf.

“Wow… so they both were Enclave?” he asked. I nodded.

“More or less. I’ll tell you more about it later. Right now, we have to get the rest out of there.” I said. Hansel crept a little bit closer to us. He hesitated to put a hoof onto Rex, but when Rex let him pet his back, he eased a little.

“I’m surprised he knew who you were despite all that mutation.” He said. Rex whined when he mentioned it. I pet the wolf.

“Don’t worry boy. I may be a changeling on the outside, but I’m still the psychotic and overbearing courier you know me to be.” I teased. Rex looked over to the structure now. His whines getting louder. I sighed. “I’m sorry you had to see all that. If I was a bit more attentive, we wouldn’t have been caught like that. But don’t you worry. We can save them, Rex.” I said. Rex growled slightly but allowed me to climb on him and grasp the handles. I looked at Comp.

“He can take us to the mark quicker than on hoof. Everyone climb on.” I said. Rex cocked his head and I smiled. “err… yeah, sorry but bear with me on this. I promise I’ll give you the biggest tree branch you can have.” The others were hesitant. We waited for Gretel to hop on. She seemed at a loss for words. Then, she frowned sourly and hopped on behind Comp. She seemed to ease a little when she did. I smirked amusedly.

We should tease her a little bit more. The winged pony batted the horned pony away. Don’t be mean. I’m sure all will be reasoned out, but we have to remain focused at hoof. I agreed with the winged pony. I’ll have to tell the mare my interests later. My friends need my help. I petted Rex’s head and he bolted, forcing everyone on him to hold on tightly. I was surprised that even though with the amount of ponies he had on him, he was still able to swiftly move through the woods.

I guess he too was part of Project Eternity. The “Perfect Super Soldier” and “Her Companion.” Made me wonder if Rex was also a clone. I remembered back onto the carrier with all the Silver Iris’s clones and freeing the timberwolf from his icy prison. I’ve only struck the clones of Cloudchaser. I didn’t see any other creatures before I had destroyed the whole place almost. Silver Iris… I hope she is okay. 'Brick, Goldenlee, Star, Iris… Comp… hang on. I’ll bring you back.' Rex came to a halt. I must have been lost in thought because the sudden halt almost knocked me over the handlebars. I looked ahead and noticed the slithering vines. I frowned.

'Never a dull moment with you is there, Karma?' That was when the flower buds slithered down from the tree tops and hissed open.

“We need to move!” Comp said as he fired his rifle at the flower bud. It exploded and the smell that followed after was horrid. I tried my best not to gag when Rex growled and swiped at two more buds hissing at him. I frowned and pulled out Courage, firing onto them. Rex immediately bounded forward and leapt over the vines. When he landed, forcing us to hang on, he sprinted down the hill. I holstered Courage and decided to bring out Compassion.

“Keep the vines off of us!” I shouted.

“No shit!” I heard Killer rasp in frustration as she batted a vine away. I brought Compassion around and cut the vine that had grabbed hold of her weapon. She narrowed her eyes at me before turning and opening fire on the vines that were now chasing after us. I brought Compassion around and cut two more vines that were descending in front of us. I had to hand it to Rex. He was definitely as durable as I made him out to be. His condition on my EFS hasn’t even moved a little.

Rex then leapt over a cliff. I wasn’t ready for it, but thankfully he had put enough speed to leap over it. He came to a halt when he landed on the other side and turned. We looked to see the vines hiss and screech loudly. Rex gave a low growl and turned back, allowing me to lead him to our destination. I heard Gorge cheer a little.

“Whoo! I never felt so much energy like that in a long time!” he said with a smirk. The ghoul nickered.

“I have to admit. It was kinda fun. Not like your usual every day to day shoot and retreat.” She rasped. Comp was even beaming and patted me on the back.

“Nice piloting back there. It’s almost like you knew where you were going.” He said. I shook my head.

“I didn’t pilot him through that.” I said. Comp raised a brow. “Rex did that all himself. I’m only piloting him now to reach our destination.” Comp whistled now.

“Rex must have a lot of faith in you.” He said. I smiled and patted the head of the wolf, who returned the gesture with a whine.

“Because he is a friend. Aren’t you, boy?” I cooed. Rex growled a little in response. “Alright, now to find the others.” Rex barked in agreement before coming to a stop in front of a mountain. Or, what looked like it. We seemed to be at the base of the jagged structure we saw in the distance. We slid off of Rex as we examined the base. Comp frowned and looked at his Pipbuck.

“Well, we are where we want to be. But, I’m not seeing a way inside.” He said. I looked at mine, ignoring my hole hoof in uneasiness as I did. That was when I blinked and looked back at my hoof. I then looked over my shoulder and to my bug like wings. I frowned and stuck my tongue out in concentration as I tried to get them to move. It has to be some sort of muscle or something right?

But damn me, how the hell do wings work? I mean, Iris makes it look easy. And when I did have wings, it was Din that was controlling me. I focused more, trying to feel in my body which muscle I should move. I managed to make them flap once. It made a small buzzing sound. I blinked and tried a little bit harder. I managed to get my wings to buzz and move in small bursts. The other’s watched me with strange looks.

“The hell are you doing?” Gorge asked. I frowned when it felt like my wings weren’t moving for a bit.

“Well, I was thinking if we can’t find a way in, then I’ll make one.” I sighed when my wings stopped moving. It was hopeless. I was hoping to at least manage to fly us over. But seeing as I still couldn’t grasp the concept of wings, I went with plan b. I stood up and felt the warmth surround me. I heard Din chuckle lightly.

Bugs are frail to fire you know. She said with an amused grin. Yet, you think you can fly with my help? Pssh, I’ll burn your wings and yourself before you can say fire.

‘Fire.’ I thought. Din blinked once before I took aim and fired a beam of fire into the mountain that seemed to catch everyone else by surprise. Din’s surprise went from confusion to sour grumbles. I couldn’t help but smirk quietly. Din was having so much trouble trying to take my advice to heart. I canceled the beam and beamed when I saw a hole that had formed. It seemed to open up into a bigger area. I turned and winked at them.

“After you.” I said. Comp grinned coolly at me, making Gretel shoot me a spiteful look.

“Mare’s first.” He said. I nodded to Rex as we stepped into the hole I had created and I gapped when I had entered into a massive open area. There were a lot of holes and bridges as far as I could see. I felt my vertigo kick in. The others followed in and I heard the gasps as well.

“Out of the frying pan.” Hansel said.

“And into the fire.” Gretel finished it up. I had to agree with them. Ms. Cheerilee’s words came back into my mind.

Changelings act more like insects then ponies.

Comp looked grimly around.

"Can’t say it’s what I wasn’t expecting. But… how in the hell are we going to find anything in this place?” he asked. I looked at my PipBuck and switched the map over to local. I was utterly baffled. The marker seemed to spaz out. It kept moving all over the map at random moments. Now that I noticed, my EFS was acting a little spazzy too. The compass was reading ERROR and a little cartoon pegasus was shaking her head disappointingly. I frowned.

“Well, our PipBuck’s are useless in here map wise. So I guess we are on our own.” The others seemed to give worried looks as they scanned the area. Then, my gaze fell to Rex who was sniffing the air. I smirked. “Picked something up, boy?” I asked. Rex whined and stood up. He started sniffing the ground and circled a small area of the open area. Then, he lifted his snout into a hole and seemed to point with his muzzle. I looked to the others, seeing Comp’s grin.

“Karma must be giving us a break.” He said. I frowned and nodded.

“Doesn’t mean she won’t come back to bite us in the ass.” I said. Comp playfully elbowed me and winked.

“Nothing we can’t handle, right?” he said. I smiled and nodded. He was right. I’ve been through a hell of a lot worse than this. While I’m still not sure what Comp has experienced with those group of ponies, but whenever we sparred, he would be the victor. So I felt a little more at ease knowing that I don’t have to worry too much about him. I looked at his companions and noticed their looks.

Some were questioning while one was sourly giving me a jealous look. Her brother seemed to notice this as well and trotted over to me with a nicker.

“Don’t worry about Gretel. I’m behind Comp 100% of the way.” He said. Gretel seemed to balk at the sudden express. I smiled and gave him a nod.

“I’m sure you wouldn’t let him down if he wasn’t with you all.” I furrowed my brows. “I remember him hanging out with ponies that he only deemed were worth his time.” We followed Rex before we continued. Hansel arched a brow.

“So, how long have you’ve known Comp?” he asked. I furrowed my brows. “I mean, clearly you two are close. And you both seem like you can kick ass. Are courier’s really all that dangerous as they are made out to be?” I pulled my hood down.

“Depending on the individual I guess. Couriers always throw themselves into danger head first for a brown box with only a pebble in it.” I said. Hansel rubbed his chin.

“Seems to be a noble cause it sounds.” He said. I nodded before sighing.

“I thought that too. It was my older brother that made me want to be a courier in the first place. As with all my other siblings. We practically devoted our lives to be couriers. And when we did, we were prepared to deal with whatever was thrown at us.” I frowned. “And then a lot of stuff happened that I can’t really get into right now.” No matter how much I wanted to fill in the gaps for them, I was still more concerned about finding my friends. Hansel nodded.

“No rush. I was just curious is all. Ever since Comp joined us, he’s always been mysterious.” He said. I arched a brow. “It’s like he said. We actually met those group of ponies before-hoof. We were in dire need of some help with the research of Project Eternity.” I blinked at this. Project Eternity? The same Project Iris was a part of? “It was thanks to them that we managed to get what we need. And for a while, Comp seemed to have taken an interest. Then, before we knew it, he joined us in his quest for knowledge and understanding.” I arched a brow. I don’t remember Comp being at all studious when it came to research. He would always slack off. But I guess whatever happened changed his mind. Hansel nickered. “My err… sister took an immediate liking to him.” He whispered. It was my turn to smirk.

“No kidding. I could see why.” I said. Hansel nodded before furrowing his brows. “So… are you and Comp… well… a thing?” he asked. I was about to tell him otherwise when Comp stopped and held up a hoof. We looked to see him stopped along with Rex who was sniffing the air. He whined. I trotted over to him and looked up with Rex.

“It seems the scent goes up.” He said. Gorge sighed.

“Well, how are we going to get up there? If I can recall only one of us knows how to fly.” He looked at Comp who gave a sheepish smile. I looked around and frowned. We were standing in the middle of a bridge and I could see something in the distance up above. It glowed a green hue. But Rex was pointing to it. I looked at Comp.

“Do you think you can get us up there?” I asked. Comp gave me a smirk.

“Umm… it’s a little much, don't you think?” he said. I sighed. Right. He was the only pegasus in this group. And despite my own bug like wings, I still was having trouble grasping it. Comp rubbed his chin. “Even if I did, it would still take us a while.” I blinked and had the strangest thought ever. I turned to find myself looking at a bored looking Din. She snorted.

What do you want? She asked bordely.

“Do you think maybe you can give me enough strength to fly a timberwolf?” I asked. I saw Comp giving a questioning look which took me by surprise. I thought that when I spoke to Din, I would be secluded in my own mind.

“You okay, Courier?” Comp asked. Gretel snorted.

“Great, she wasn’t lying when she said she was insane.” She said. I blinked and shook my head. Din was chuckling.

You are playing with the wrong form of fire. But, it does seem like an amusing thought to burn a hunk of moving wood and an ironic fly. I like this thought, do tell me more. I sighed.

“Din, I want you to give me those wings so I can lift us up there.” I said. The others gave me more questioning looks. Comp seemed intrigued yet confused. Din cackled.

You are indeed insane. Fine, if you want to burn like the bug you are, then be my guest. Din flapped her wings and I felt the warmth on my sides spring up. The others backed away in surprise when giant spectral flame wings shot out. I frowned and again tried to flap them. Still nothing. Din let out a frustrating sigh.

Despite the thought, you still need my help to get you anywhere. I can only keep this up for five minutes a day. I cocked my head.

“Why only five minutes?” I asked. Din snorted.

And let you abuse my powers like you have? She scoffed. I’d rather fade back into the universe before having someone use them willy nilly. I smiled. I hopped up on Rex, who was giving me a concerned whine at my flaming spectral wings. I patted his head.

“Don’t worry boy. I’ll make sure Din doesn’t hurt you.” And hopefully I can manage to pull us up with no problems. I motioned for the others to get on. Comp laughed a little before hopping on.

“Damn, Courier. You definitely are something! I thought you left the arcane magic to your brother?” I gave a sheepish smile.

“Err… long story short, I have an evil spirit living inside me that I had to convince to help me.” I said. Comp nickered.

“I always thought you were a hot head.” He said. I rolled my eyes again, smiling. As much as I was enjoying the company, I still have friends to worry about. Once everyone was on, I asked Din to take us up. Din gave another annoyed sigh before flapping her wings. I almost took off without everyone else, but thankfully I had a little help. Din and I used telekinesis to lift them slightly off of the ground, which was enough to let me heave them up. We were only about four stories up when I felt the sweat on my brow. Then, I felt a sudden surge of energy. I looked over and saw Killer, her horn glowing.

I then noticed Gorge doing the same thing. With our magic combined and the help of an evil spirit, we were smoothly hovering in the air. Rex’s claws were dangling but he seemed to stick his tongue out and panting. Was he actually enjoying this? That’s when he cocked his head and then looked to his left with a growl. I followed his gaze and gapped.

A hole full of glowing green eyes. I looked over to the rest and they saw it too. All around us were glowing green eyes looking at us. Next, came the buzzing. Then, came the many fluttering of black blurs. The changelings took off from the caves they were in and circled around us. I was surprised at how many were in attendance. Changelings of all sizes surrounded us as we flew up to the glowing green hue. They hissed and buzzed around us. It was almost deafening. That’s when I heard gun fire. I looked back to see Hansel, Gretel and Comp firing in on some changelings that were getting too close.

I grit my teeth and with a new burst of energy, I had us flying up, avoiding the bridges and jagged rocks that laid out the place. Din hummed in amused thought.

“Din… a little help?” I asked. Din smirked.

Not one of your brightest ideas. But then again, none of your ideas are bright. She said. I grit my teeth again and glared at her.

“Just shut up with the criticizing and help me if you ever want to stop your sisters!” I hissed. Din arched a brow before shaking her head.

Such a useless vessel. Her horn glowed and I felt the warmth surround us. And just in time to. We were a flying ball of fire now and the changelings that got close were fried or disintegrated. We flew at high speeds now. I looked down and noticed that the ball of fire had a tail under it. Din was propelling us forward. I was honestly impressed with the power of the maiden now.

I always figured their destructive powers to be a force to be reckoned with. But to see the creative side of it. I heard Din hum again. She must have heard my unintentional compliment. We had finally reached the top, the changelings erupting below us and surrounding us again. I looked and saw a tall jagged looking rock with a crate in the middle. Next, I noticed the eggs surrounding it. Then, I spotted the cocoons hanging above it. I gasped when I saw my friends. Their eyes were half closed as if in a trance and moved slightly in the cocoon. Din shot us forward and we landed at the edge of the cliff, the fire still surrounding us. Comp was in awe.

“Is this… a throne room?” he asked. That’s when I heard a loud chuckling.

“Indeed it is, Comp.” the voice said. I looked up and saw, much to my chagrin, Chryxal standing next to a glowing green pod on the throne. He bowed. “We have been expecting you, Savior. I love what you have done with your body. You flatter us.” I waved a hoof in front of me, dismissing it as I drew Malice and Sin and aimed at him. He arched his brow before chuckling.

“Let them go!” I said. Chryxal smiled
.

“Ahh, but where are my manners. Unfortunately, you’re friends are sleeping at the moment. But when mother wakes up, I’ll be sure that they are offered to her. Curtesy of the Savior herself.” I growled now along with Rex. The others were uneasy, but Comp stood next to me, his rifle unholstered.

“I take it you know him?” he asked. I nodded.

“He was at the wedding when I stopped it.” I said. Comp snorted.

“So, I take it you are the changeling prince we have been hearing about?” he asked. Hearing about? Oh right. They were looking in on the research of the changelings so I figured they must know how insects work. Chryxal smiled wickedly now. He then looked slightly to his right and I saw a changeling land next to him. A small changeling. But a changeling I knew all the same. He gave me a guilty, yet serious look. He then was engulfed in green fire and there staring at us was the younger colt version of Comp. The Comp standing next to me arched a brow.

“I told you not to follow me, Courier.” Younger Comp said. I shook my head.

“That was never an option.” I said. I lowered my magnums a little before stepping forward. “You remember that chat we had back in Las Pegasus? Well… I’m following through on that. I’m here to take you back home. All of us… Iris, Goldenlee, Star, Brick and Rex. We won’t stop until you are back with us!” Comp sighed and shook his head.

“Don’t you see? This is my home! I was born here.” He stomped his hoof. “I told you that if I do go back, I won’t be the same Comp you knew before. I would be a monster! And not only that, how else can I survive if all I can eat is the living souls of others!?” I shook my head.

“But you aren’t a monster! How many times have you saved my ass!?” I grit my teeth. “You are my friend, Comp… you are our friend! And as friends we told ourselves that we would support each other no matter what!!” I said motioning to the cocoons my friends were trapped in. Comp grit his teeth, baring his fangs in the process.

“You shouldn’t haven’t followed me, Courier!” he said. Then, his looked furrowed to concern before turning to Chryxal. Chrxsal nodded.

“You heard my brother. He doesn’t want to go back. You were a fool to even think you stood a chance to come back alive. You are lucky enough to have mutated into a changeling. But to wear our skin is not enough to pass by as us. You insult us by just doing so. Now you must face the ultimate punishment our kingdom upholds.” He stood back on his hind hooves and held out his forelegs into the air as the changelings began circling more furiously now.

“We will offer them to mother! With the Savior and her friends as offerings, we will finally earn mother’s love again!” He laughed manically as the changelings broke formation and headed straight for us.

Footnote: Level Up!

Perk Added: Primordial Mutation: you have strove through much and had finally gain the favor of the stars. You gain the ability of the aid of Primals themselves.