---------- Melody’s Tale - Counterstrike ----------

The day dawned bleak and cold. Melody would be shivering, but there were warm bodies pressed against her. She panicked for a second before realization returned to her, and her thundering heartbeat calmed. She nuzzled a little closer to the warmth in front of her, and Twilight gave a soft moan in return. She had accidentally woken her mother up, but Twilight didn’t seem to mind. The magi rolled over and smiled into Melody’s eyes.

“Good morning.” She whispered, kissing Melody’s forehead. Outside of the windows, the sky was leaden and grey, and fat droplets were already impacting the glass. A ghost of a frown crossed Twilight and Melody’s face as they worked at slowly extricating themselves from the other two slumbering parties. Lily shifted a little, but didn’t move. Verse had turned his back to them in the night, but stayed curled up peacefully. “Come on,” Twilight gently touched Melody’s shoulder. “We should shower and get ready.”

“Right.” Melody followed Twilight into the bathroom. Some sense of familiarity returned to her as she began stripping out of her robe and t-shirt. She had done this before. Dozens of times, in fact. Twilight had changed little, but when Melody pulled her panties down, Twilight seemed enraptured with her. “Something wrong?” Melody asked guardedly.

“N-nothing! Sorry, it’s just… Wow.” Twilight was slightly flushed. It was then that Melody realized she was taller than her mother. By quite a bit. Twilight stood almost a full head underneath her. “You’ve grown so much. You’re no longer just a girl… You’ve really grown into a… A woman.” Tears welled in Twilight’s eyes. Melody couldn’t stand the sight, so she wrapped her mother in a gentle hug.

“Shh, shh, it’s okay…” Melody whispered, gently stroking Twilight’s hair. Her mother sobbed a few times, but kept herself from breaking into hysterics. Instead, she held Melody gently, nuzzling her collarbone. The sensation wasn’t entirely unwanted, but Melody wanted nothing to do with her mother. Either of them, to be honest.

“I’m so proud of you,” Twilight said when they broke away. “You and Verse… You two have accomplished so much in your lives. I thought I had done a lot… You two have been to places I’ve never seen, and done things I’ve never even considered could be accomplished. You’re… You’re more than grown up, Melody. You’re a hero.”

“I’m no hero.” Melody looked down. Tears of her own began to build up in her eyes. “I betrayed Equestria. I handed the captiol city over to its worst enemy. We even worked together with Discord to make it so you didn’t come back to Canterlot.”

“And yet,” Twilight lifted her chin, just enough that Melody could look into her eyes. “Here you are. You returned to answer for your crimes, and what’s more, you had a legitimate reason for doing what you did. And even more than that,” Twilight’s sad smile warmed Melody’s heart. “You’re going to set it right again. I know you are.”

Melody was allowed to be weak, just this once, right? Her bottom lip quivered for a second before she collapsed against Twilight. Another presence was with her then, both of them wrapping her in a gentle hug. She didn’t need to open her crying eyes to see who it was. Twilight and Lily were hugging her close as she broke down. It all felt so helpless. They didn’t even know what they were going to do when they got to Canterlot. How would they do this transfer? Would the primes show themselves? Could they handle this without devolving themselves? All those questions and more ran fast and hard through her mind.

Somehow, despite the support of her friends and family, Melody didn’t feel like she could do this.

------------

The rain had turned into a steady downpour by the time Melody, Verse, and Lily had packed. Twilight helped them, but didn’t want to come with. Mainly because she wasn’t a changeling, but mostly because she had to stay in Southbay with the elements. “I’m going to try and return my friends back to their normal state. I did it with Lily.”

“It took a few kisses, but yeah, you did.” Lily blushed. The two of them were all smiles as they left the barracks Melody and Verse had their quarters in. Melody and Verse themselves, however, were very serious. Melody only had to share one look with her brother to tell he felt the same way she did. The rain pelted them as they walked out of the barracks. Melody and Verse wore the clothes Hurricane and Gale had given them, so the pelting drops hardly affected them, but Twilight and Lily didn’t look all that happy. Hardly thirty seconds out of the door, and both of them were soaked.

“Honestly!” Twilight called out to them. “Hurricane could have picked a better day to make it rain!”

”Apologies, Ephemira.” Hurricane swooped in out of the stormy skies, seemingly appearing from nowhere with the heavy, overcast clouds.

“Ephemira has relinquished control of her body to Twilight.” Melody managed a smile at the sight of the massive yellow and red roc. She lay one hand on his beak as he landed in the road before them, tucking his wings tight against his side to avoid toppling the nearby buildings. Being around hurricane was always a warming experience. Unlike his brother, who controlled the Northern and Western winds, Hurricane was warm and welcoming. Gale seemed to always be cold and indifferent. Twilight and Lily hastily ducked underneath Hurricane’s neck, seeking shelter from the rain. Melody could see the two of them were shivering already, where the clothes given to her by the two roc long, long ago kept her warm.

”Oh? That’s good news. And considering Lily isn’t attempting to rip her throat out, I’m assuming she’s returned as well?”

“I have.” Lily smiled, though Hurricane likely couldn’t see him from where he was. Melody and Verse stood near his beak, both of them smiling up at him as if he were an old friend.

”So what is our move now?” Hurricane’s brow furrowed, and he looked to Melody. She looked around, and noted everyone else was looking at her as well. Suddenly feeling very obvious of her position. Hurricane, Ephemira, and the element of generosity were all looking at her. There were several gods or goddesses looking at her, asking her guidance. Melody closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

“We’re going back to Canterlot. We’re going to stop Chrysalis, and crown a new changeling queen. One whose loyalties lie with Equestria.” Melody looked up at Hurricane, her expression set in stone. “We’re going to undo what we did, and we’re going to do it without the primes going wild.” Their smiles warmed Melody, and despite her apprehension, she felt their support. Their faith. She threw her head back defiantly.

“We’re going to end this war.”

----------------

Twilight watched as Lily, Melody, and Verse flapped off into the storm. Hurricane promised to guide them out of the storm, and give them as safe a passage as he could manage to Canterlot. But Twilight couldn’t worry about her children and her wife at that moment. She had other things to do. Things here in Southbay. With a heavy heart, Twilight turned towards the government building where the elements held office. It was time to give her friends their bodies back. She decided to start with Applejack.

Sure enough, Applejack was not in her office. Twilight was dismayed, since she knew the other three were here. But Applejack had the easiest way to bring her back that Twilight knew she could exploit. Rather than start with someone more difficult to sway, she went to seek out the hearty farmer. After a few questions, Twilight found Applejack near the edge of the city, helping to shore up sandbags along the riverbanks that split the city into its four districts.

“Honesty!” Twilight called her by her new name. Applejack rose her head and smiled at Twilight.

“Hello, Ephemira! Come to help the relief effort?”

“Come to help get you back.” Twilight dashed forwards, laying her hand on Applejack’s sternum. The element of honesty jerked back, but Twilight caught her with magic, keeping her in place. “Look at this!” Twilight lifted a necklace out of Applejack’s shirt. The delicate golden chain held a simple charm in the shape of an apple. “Who gave this to you?!” She held the writhing woman steady, forcing her to look at her own necklace. “Who made this necklace for you, Applejack?!”

“My name isn’t Applejack!” She twisted harder. Her impressive strength would have been enough to break a lesser magi’s bonds, but not Twilight’s. She kept Applejack in place, forcing her to look at the necklace. “And I don’t know who made that necklace! When I woke, I was wearing it! The clasp is fused! I can’t take it off!”

“LOOK AT IT!” Twilight roared, forcing the necklace into Applejack’s view. The element grunted and squirmed, but she couldn’t look away. Others were looking at them intently, some of them moving to stop Twilight. She shielded them off with barely a thought. Applejack continued to fight, but was unable to go anywhere. After a time, she ended up looking at the necklace.

“That’s…” She began to relax, her eyes wide. “Verse made that for me. No, not for me… For her. For the other one, Applejack. When I- no, when she… She saw his body, she… I… I don’t…” Applejack’s eyes began to flutter. When they rolled back up into her head, Twilight released her from her magical hold. The woman slumped to the ground, and Twilight held her close.

“Come on, Applejack. Remember the necklace.” Twilight held Applejack’s head in her lap, gingerly stroking her brilliant blonde hair out of her face. “Remember who made it for you, and why… He loves you, Applejack. You’ve been his friend ever since he was born. You gave him his first guitar, and taught him how to play. Come on, Applejack. Remember.”

“Ugh… Twi… Light?” Applejack’s eyes returned to normal, and she was blinking confusedly. “I don’t… Ooh, this headache… Wha happened?” Her old southern drawl was back, but she looked to be in pain. Twilight felt a smile break out across her lips as she dropped the shield. Applejack sat up, clutching her head but otherwise looking normal.

“Come on, Applejack. Let’s get you somewhere warm.”

“What ‘m I doin’ out here? What’s goin’ on?” Applejack groaned as Twilight hauled her to her feet, draping an arm across her shoulders to keep her steady as they walked away from the riverbank.

“You’ve got a lot to catch up on, Applejack.”

“Verse… Melody… The las’ thing I remember, they was… Twilight, they ain’t dead, are they?”

“Oh no, Applejack.” Twilight grinned as she hauled Applejack towards shelter. “They’re very much alive.”

“Oh thank the sun…” Applejack sagged a little. “Ah never got ta kiss Verse again…”

-----------------

The flight was short and furious. Hurricane guided Lily, Melody, and Verse out of the storm and gave them directions to Canterlot. It was a four-day journey, and they would have clear skies most of the way. But the entire route was fraught with patrols, both out of Fillydelphia and Canterlot. The Fillydelphian patrols would be easy enough to avoid, but the changeling forces were numerous, and had a decent chance of picking out which of them were which. After one whole day of flying through pelting rain and driving winds, they arrived in the hilly countryside outside of Baltimare. The restoration effort of the ruined city had been placed on hold as soon as Chrysalis had taken over Canterlot, and the camps were abandoned. They made camp in one large tent for the first night.

“We need a plan.” Lily said, stoking the flames of their small campfire. Verse and Melody shared a knowing look.

“Any ideas?” Verse asked quietly, looking into the flames.

“Not in particular, but I know a lot about how these things work. Whenever Chrysalis gathers her forces, she keeps the drones around her at all times, while her lieutenants stay out and about, making their own plans or gathering intelligence. We can fool the drones easily enough, but the lieutenants will be troublesome.” Lily sat opposite the fire from where Melody and Verse were, looking into the flames with them. “We’re going to have to find a gap inbetween them, so we’re not discovered by the lieutenants. Also, Chrysalis may disguise all of her changelings as regular civilians. Canterlot might appeare to be populated by regular people. Or she might keep them in their changeling forms, in an attempt to turn Canterlot into the new Hive.” Lily seemed to shudder. Her expression darkened, all the further accentuated by the dancing flames. She continued talking after a brief silence.

“Provided we can get close enough to her, we can throw the barrier up, and the three of us can overpower her. The only problem is, she’ll likely have more power, thanks to the love Canterlot has given her. She’s drawing power from the crystals beneath the palace. We need to move fast and get to her before she becomes too powerful for me to pull her essence.”

“So we can’t waste any time once we arrive in Canterlot.” Melody summarized, sighing as the flames flickered in her eyes.

“We need to fly fast and hard for the capitol. We can’t waste another day.”

“We should rest soon.” Lily nodded towards the three cots they had managed to scavenge from the abandoned relief tents. “We’ll camp in the woods south of Canterlot tomorrow, rest as well as we can, and make for the capitol the same day.”

“I think we’ve been there before.” Melody perked up a little. “When we left Canterlot the first time, on our way home…”

“Twilight and I stayed in those woods as well. Long, long ago…” Lily sighed. “The first time Chrysalis invaded Canterlot, we came the same way you did out of the city. We need to cover a lot of ground tomorrow. Let’s rest now.” Lily stood and made for her cot, curling up under the thin blankets afforded them. Melody and Verse followed, albeit a little reluctantly. Melody only had one dosage of her interference tea, but it made her fatigued in the mornings. She decided she was going to skip out and try to sleep naturally.

Thankfully, the night passed absent of nightmares. She felt stiff and sore after sleeping on the uncomfortable cot, but after eating a hearty breakfast and splashing water on her face, Melody felt as rested as she could be. Verse and Lily had already packed up, so Melody pulled her own pack onto her back and followed them to the closest clearing. They took off and veered North, intent on flying as far and fast as they could that day.

Come mid-evening, Melody was lathered with sweat and exhausted. But their efforts were well-rewarded. Canterlot arrived on the horizon. “There!” Lily called out to them, pointing down below. The mid-evening mist was unnatural to say the least, but Lily managed to spot the wood. Sweeping into a steep dive, the three of them descended into the trees, flying carefully to avoid crashing. The small clearing was the same as Verse and Melody had left it, which she was thankful for considering how tired she was. The three of them didn’t even make dinner. They collapsed against one another, huddling close for warmth as sleep took them.

For the second night straight, Melody’s dreams were devoid of nightmares. She slept soundly through the night, and awoke well into the morning.

Only they weren’t alone. She saw now why she had slept without nightmares.

Her nightmare was already here, glaring down at them. Hastily, Melody shook Verse and Lily, and began to cast a defensive spell. Just before she completed it, a blast of magic lifted her from her spot on the ground. Flipping several times over, Melody landed ten feet away with a clipped scream. A flash of hot pain lanced up her arm, making her grit her teeth. She would have screamed if she had breath to.

“Aah, aah, aah.” Chrysalis’ hand glowed as she glared down at Verse and Lily, who were already waking. “None of that now, you keep your magic to yourselves. You’re out-numbered.” Through the haze of white-hot pain, Melody could see Chrysalis’ words were true. The woods around the clearing were teeming with changelings. Their beady green eyes and pointed teeth were menacing. Lily wanted to run, to fight, to scream, but she couldn’t do a thing. Glancing down at her arm, she saw it bent at an odd angle. The break was bad. She would need to be healed before she could use her magic again. Without her magic, how was she going to help facilitate the transfer? Chrysalis was right there! Verse and Lily too! They could end this now!

“Don’t.” Lily’s words broke through the haze of pain. She was already crying. “You’ve won, Chryaslis. Don’t. Don’t hurt them.” She slowly got to her feet, her head bowed low before the queen. “It’s over. Take me, take us all, but don’t hurt them any more. Please.”

“Oh? I had almost forgotten, Liliana.” Chrysalis lifted her one hand out, cupping Lily’s chin to draw her eyes up. “You have sympathy, unlike we changelings. Well I, too, have learned sympathy. As an honor to the service you once paid me, I’ll honor your wish. The three of you will come with us to Canterlot and be my prisoners. But just because I promised not to hurt them, doesn’t mean I won’t hurt you.” Her finger dug into Lily’s skin even more, drawing blood. Lily’s eyes went wide, but she didn’t cry out. “I have to pay you back for your betrayal, Liliana. I might make your end quicker than I had planned, considering you delivered the Children of Love back to me, but don’t think you’ve gotten off easy. You will suffer before I end your pathetic, miserable life. And oh, how I will relish your screams.” Chrysalis grinned as she looped her hand around the back of Lily’s head, gripping a fistful of her hair. Lily opened her mouth, but didn’t scream.

“You will suffer, Liliana. And I will be your tormentor. Be thankful, though. I’ll spare your children the sight of their mother’s torture.” She wrenched Lily’s hair, drawing the poor woman to her knees. “You should thank me.”

“A-ah…”

“Thank me, Liliana.” Chrysalis commanded, standing tall over Lily. “Thank me for sparing your children!”

“Th-thank you.” Lily’s eyes streamed tears, but her voice was strong. She looked up at Chrysalis. Melody grit her teeth as she fought to see all that was going on.

“Louder.”

“Thank you.”

“So they can hear you, Liliana! Say it louder!”

“Thank you!”

“LET THE HORDE HEAR YOUR PLEA!” Chrysalis roared. The entire clearing reverberated with the sound. The changelings around them opened their own mouths into terrible, animalistic screams. The sound made Melody’s head hurt worse than it already did. Lily, though, lifted her head up.

“Fuck you.”

With a horrendous snap, Melody watched her mother’s arm bent in a way it never should bend. Lily’s scream chased her into the blackness…