Chapter One

-Outer Rim, Uncharted Sector-

A Nu-Class Attack Shuttle exited hyperspace, quickly pushing its thrusters to full power shortly after. It was on the run, those aboard desperately trying to get their precious cargo to safety. What they were running from, was revealed when a Ventor-Class Cruiser exited hyperspace shortly after it. The cruiser did not wait, and quickly open fired on the shuttle! Its bow separating and allowed seven Z-95 Hammerhead Starfighters to fly out, to help destroy their fleeing pray.

Though, the shuttle was anything but defenseless, those on board veterans of the worst engagements the Republic could give their Clone Army. When the Hammerheads were in range, the shuttle's defenses turned and began to open fire. The initial attack struck two Hammerheads, causing them to explode and the other five to scatter. It became obvious, this prey was not going down without a fight, it'll die with fangs bared at them. The Hammerheads turned back around, opening up on their slower prey and striking several places, but the shields managed to hold.

The shuttle tried to maneuver, attempting to take out more of its attackers, but the Hammerheads were too fast. Before it could maneuver and avoid another attack run, the shuttle's rear was struck by a volley from the cruiser! The initial hit caused one of the primary engines to explode, which caused the backside to explode shortly after and propel the shuttle forwards. The Hammerheads continued their pursuit, even as the shuttle was pulled into a nearby planet's abnormal gravitational pull.

"Admiral, should we recall our fighters? That planet has a strange gravitational field around it, causing the nearby star and moon to orbit around it." A Clone Naval Officer asked, looking at the Admiral assigned to their cruiser.

"We will not remain here for very long, Lieutenant." The Admiral started, looking to the clone. "Once the shuttle crashes, send a recon team to inspect the wreckage… Make sure those traitors, and the padawan, are dead."

The lieutenant narrowed his eyes at the Admiral, who didn't even give the seasoned Clone Officer the respect of looking at him when giving such an order. "Yes, sir." He replied, rather generically for a clone. It is obvious he isn't too keen on hunting down, and possibly killing, some of his brothers. "I will have a Recon Squad sent down, and personally check the wreckage myself."

"Good, and Lieutenant?" The Admiral's words stopped him, causing the Clone Lieutenant to turn around. "Do keep in mind that those aboard the shuttle are harboring a fugitive of the new Galactic Empire." He turned around, and looked at the clone. "Whether they were your brothers in the past, or not… They are now fugitives of the Empire, as well. Your job, as a soldier of the Empire, is to eliminate them as such. Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal, sir." The lieutenant replied, before leaving the ship's bridge.

-Nu-Class Attack Shuttle Crash Site, Two Hours Later-

The Recon Troopers checked he wreckage from head to toe, leaving no stone unturned. Yet, despite how badly the shuttle had crashed, and was torn apart, they did not find a single body within the wreckage. But, the lieutenant, adorning his Phase Two armor with black and red markings, found four sets of tracks from clones, leading away from the crash and into the nearby forest. The only strange thing, was that here were no tracks from a padawan with them, and no body of some young Twi'lek girl at the site.

"Lieutenant Click!" A Recon Trooper shouted, drawing his attention.

Click turned around, as he looked at the trooper running up to him. "What is it, Sergeant? Find anything?"

"Negative, sir. There are no signs of the survivors on board the crashed shuttle… Should we check the surrounding area?" The Recon Trooper asked.

"That will not be necessary, Sergeant. Nothing living could have survived entry, by all the damage found on the shuttle." The Sergeant nodded, with sly 'yes sir' before relaying Click's findings. While Click looked towards where the tracks went, and saluted. "Good luck, sir."

Not far from the crash site, a single glowing visor watched the Recon Troopers, as they boarded their shuttle and left… Once he was sure they were gone, the Commando disappeared into the vegetation.

-Zeta Squad Camp, Thirty Minutes Later-

Four Clone Commandos, wearing black stealth suit variant armor, were positioned at certain points of their make-shift camp. The one with blue markings laid prone next to one with straight black armor, he looked through a range finder while his partner used a sniper rifle. The Commando with red markings covered the one with white markings, as they knelt next to a sitting pink Twi'lek pre-teen. Her padawan attire was torn and burned, bandages and bacta-patches placed over major injuries. The obvious medic did his best to keep her stable, but she was in critical condition.

"Don't worry, ad'ika, I'll get you fixed up." The white marked Commando said, as he placed a bacta-pouch needle into her arm, extending the field rod up to hold said pouch.

The red marking Commando slung his DC-17m, turning around and went to kneel down next to the padawan's left side. "How is she doing, Doc?" He asked, before the Commando rubbed her head affectionately.

"Don't know, Blade. I'm doing everything I can, but she has a lot of internal damage." 'Doc' said, as he looked up at 'Blade'. "She is in need of surgery; I'm only geared for tactical field care. But, I'll give her everything I have, to make sure our little ad'ika makes it."

Blade gave a nod, patting Doc's shoulder, before turning at the other two Commandos. "Striker, Smoker, do you two see anything out there? A town, perhaps?"

"Affirmative, sir. We got a village about two miles out, inhabitants are humanoid, but…" The blue marking Commando answered, looking back at Blade and Doc. "They are under attack by insectoid versions. Striker said their leaders are easy to pick off, but we need to move a bit closer."

"Negative on that, Smoker. We hold position for now." Blade ordered, looking back at Doc. "Thinks he could make the trip?"

Doc kept his attention on the padawan, doing his best with what was available to him. "We pushed it by carrying Shav this far, Blade. I seriously doubt her body can handle being carried at a running pace again, let alone being near combat." Her heavy breathing picked up, sweat forming over the padawan's forehead. Doc pulled his backpack off, retrieving a cloth from it before propping her feet up on it and wiping the Twi'lek's forehead. "No way can she survive the trip, without a litter."

Blade sighed, shaking his head. "Then we must wait, until after. Then, use what flares-?"

"K-Kora…" Shav spoke up, drawing both the attention of Blade and Doc.

"I'm here, ad'ika, buir is right here." Blade said, placing a hand on to her shoulder. "What do you need?"

It was obvious that the Twi'lek padawan was straining just to look up at Blade, let alone speak. "G-Go, help t-them, Kora… N-Nera Doc c-can stay here with m-me." Her words were weak, but both Clone Commandos focused solely on her.

"Ad'ika, please, you need rest. Save your strength for-."

Shav shook her head, pulling out the saberstaff at her hip. "P-Protect them, for me, Kora." She handed the saberstaff to Blade, her hand shaking form its weight. "Jedi S-Sentinels protect a-all those around them… I c-can't go, can y-you go f-for me?"

Before her hand could fall, Blade's own cupped it and gave a nod. "Of course, ad'ika, I would be honored to do this in your stead." His words earned a relieved, weak, smile from Shave, as he took the saberstaff and placed it in his pack. "You just rest, and get healed up… We still have training to do." With that, he turned to face the other two remaining Commandos, his kilt shifting from side to side. "Zeta Squad… Lock and Load!" Striker and Smoker got on their feet, also preparing themselves.

-Ponyville, Under Changeling Attack-

The Guards tried their best to hold back the Changeling attackers, even the Wonderbolts had been deployed to Ponyville, but there was far too many of them. While only a handful were assigned to Ponyville, the most Elite Wonderbolts being fast enough to respond, since Twilight had become a princess and gained her own castle. The Changelings numbered in the hundreds, while they were simply thirty strong. Their casualties were rising fast, civilians were getting kidnapped, they only had a few able to guard he princess and Elements of Haromony, reinforcements were still half a day away. For now, the remaining protectors of Ponyville needed to hold what they could, and by Equestria they planned to.

While the guards did their best to hold a decent defensive potion, this left a great majority of the town unprotected. For one particular gray, wall eyed, pegasus mare? She was forced to sprint down the streets, daughter in her arms, Ditzy Doo tried her best to escape the Changelings in pursuit. The mare kept praying to Celestia, praying that she would at least get her daughter to safety. Ditzy did not even care about her own, so long as Dinky was alright.

Both of Dityz's eyes were scanning the area, trying to find somewhere safe to hide Dinky, while she led the Changelings away. But, there was no place she could go, to secretly hide Dinky and then try to lead them somewhere else. As of right now, the only place that would ensure her daughter from being kidnapped, was the dreaded Everfree Forest. Not even Changelings would dare enter that forest, without caution. Ditzy was out of option, the Changelings gaining on them.

"M-Muffin?" She coo'd, smiling down at Dinky, who gave a whimpered 'mhm' in response. "Momma needs you to be brave, while she leads the bad guys away, ok?"

Dinky just looked up at her mother, before nodding. "O-Ok, mommy… What do you need me to do?" She whimpered, the filly trying to be brave.

"I need you to hide in the Everfree Forest, not too far in… Just enough to keep those icky Changelings from following, ok?" The filly gave a nervous whimper, only to be stopped by her mother's sudden nuzzle. "Don't worry, muffin, momma will find you before anything happens."

"I-I'll try, mommy." Dinky answered, though her tone had quite a bit of hesitation in it.

Ditzy nodded, using her wings to gain a bit more distance from the Changelings. "Go, muffin!" She yelled, releasing her hold and allowed Dinky to jump towards the woodline. "I'll find you soon as I can!"

The very moment her hooves felt dirt beneath them, Dinky was in a full sprint towards the Everfree Forest. She did not care how far in she was going, only that her mother told her to hide. This forest was terrifying, and Ditzy had told her not to go into it many times, due to the monsters hiding within. So, the fact her mother actually told her to go in Everfree, meant things were very serious. With that in mind, Dinky ran until she found a decent size tree to hid behind, not noticing the thee, tall, bipedal beings just a bit further ahead.

When Dinky heard a magical shock, followed by her mother's screams of agony, the filly whipped around. "MOM-!" Her own scream was cut short, by an armored, black gloved, hand. In seconds, Dinky had been pulled deeper into the forest, tears of sheer terror in her eyes.

-With Ditzy-

The pegasus mare had been struck by a Changeling's stun spell, sending an electrical discharge throughout her body. But, after hearing her daughter's scream get cut short, Ditzy tried her best o crawl towards the forest. She did not care about how much pain her body is in, only that she tried to get back to Dinky. Ditzy knew the forest was dangerous, and she should have known better than to send Dinky in there, but Everfree was the only way she'd get away from the Changelings.

"D-Dinky…" Ditzy grunted, dragging her body towards the woodline. Her body felt like it was struck by lightning, but she kept going. "M-Momma's coming… Muffin."

A black hoof, the leg attached to it covered in holes, stomped down on to her blonde tail! This caused Ditzy to look back at the Changeling on her tail, and the four behind him, laughing at her. "Looks like we got ourselves another pretty mare, boys." The Changeling, on her tail, said to the others.

"I saw her send a filly into the forest, should we got get her, Shock?" Another asked, making Ditzy freeze.

'Shock' cackled a bit. "I heard the filly's scream get cut short, she's a goner." The Changeling laid himself on top of Ditzy, using the fact her body is currently stunned, and slid a claw up her green skirt. "Besides, this one will not have to mourn for very long. We'll make sure she'll have plenty more to look after." Ditzy's eyes were flowing with tears, feeling Shock's claw between her legs, the other Changelings laughing. "Get ready, because when we are done? You will be over flowing with-uhhhhhhh…"

Shock's eyes were wide, locked on to the bipedal, black armored, beings standing in front of them. One had blue markings, holding a heavy looking weapon. The straight black one held a scoped, long barreled weapon. The one at their center wore red markings, along with a matching black kilt and a red duel shoulderguard, his weapon being a standard version of the three. Behind them, Dinky coward in between the three, while they pointed their weapons at the Changelings.

"Zeta Squad, engage the insectoids!" Blade ordered, before the Clone Commandos open fired, Shock being torn apart by the Squad Leader's DC-17m!
Their blasters burned through the Changelings, making the hardened exo-skeleton completely worthless. Those that tried to escape, through flight, were shot down by Striker's sniper attachment. When a large group heard the commotion, and came to see what happened, Smoker dealt with them all with a single explosive round from his anti-armor attachment. Though, Blade remained with Dinky, taking snap shots at any that got too close to her mother.

It was all unbelievable to Ditzy, seeing these three creatures take out enough Changelings, that would be trouble to Royal Guards, like they were nothing! Her surprise got cut short, when Blade placed a hand on to Ditzy's shoulder, snapping the mare out of it. "Ma'am, are you injured? Do you require any medical attention?" He asked, the Commando's voice sounding metallic due to his helmet.

Ditzy just looked up at him, the mare's eyes still wide. "N-No, just a bit s-stunned." She answered, before Dinky nearly tackled her.

"Mommy! I-I w-was so scared!" The filly cried into her shirt, trying to use it as a handkerchief. "B-But, t-then Mister Blade showed up, and said e-everything was g-going to be ok n-now!"

That got an even more shocked look from the mare, as she continued to try and comfort Dinky. "Is that true? Are you here to help us, sir?" Ditzy asked, looking straight up at the Clone Commando.

"Affirmative, ma'am. Are you able to move?" Blade asked, Ditzy moving her arm a bit, noticing that the stun spell had worn off a bit, and nodded. "Good, we will escort you to the defenders, then help route your attackers."

"Of c-course." Ditzy agreed, standing up with Dinky's help. "T-The Royal Guards have positioned themselves at Princess Twilight's castle, near the town center. We need to hurry, they'll be overwhelmed soon."

"Protecting the leader, understandable tactic." Blade looked to Smoker and Striker. "Lock and Load, Zeta, we're moving out!" He ordered, the other two Commandos giving a 'yes sir" before the five headed towards the crystal castle.

-Friendship Castle, Front Gate-

"Keep them back! We have to keep those inside safe!" Twilight called out, before using a bolt of magic to send four Changelings back. Her silver plated armor damaged from battle, but her cutie mark still glistened within the sunlight. "Give it everything you have, stallions!"

The Royal Guards let out a roaring cry, trying to keep the invaders back! The Earth Pony Guard held their bulwark, spears lowered and shields standing tall. The Unicorn Guard used their magic to help shield the castle or send magical constructs at the Changelings. All the while, every remaining Pegasi Guard and Wonderbolt tried to intercept any airborne Changelings, their ranks suffering heavy casualties due to their vulnerable positions. Despite being out numbered, and being overwhelmed, the Royal Guard refused to give any ground to their enemy.

Twilight kept sending spell after spell, trying to help keep the massive force at bay. However, this was costing her a lot of energy, her breath becoming heavy. "They just keep coming…" She thought, using another bolt to send three drones flying away. "B-But I cannot give up, they are all-?"

"Princess, look out!" A Guard Sergeant yelled, snapping Twilight form her thoughts.

By the time she noticed the combined energy blast, it was far too late. Her, along with ten Royal Guards, were struck by a massive stun spell! Twilight screamed from the electrifying pain, as the spell's discharge coursed throughout her body. Her legs felt weak, and the princess soon found herself on both knees. The Changelings had broken through their ranks, one standing in front of Twilight.

"How the mighty have fallen, Princess Sparkle." He hissed, grinning down at her. "Do not worry, we shall not kill you… After all, an alicorn mare is perfect for breeding future Queens." His words made Twilight sick to her stomach, but all she could do was glare up at him. "Oh, how I am going to-?"
KA-BOOM!

A group of Changelings were torn apart from a sudden explosion, drawing the Lead Changeling's attention. "What in the Queen's name!?" He yelled, before two more explosions went off!

"Zeta Squad, engage! Engage!" A metallic voice yelled out, before all three Commandos popped up from behind the roof tops! Within seconds, they started to rain down blue blaster fire, the beams searing through each Changeling and into the next. The Commandos were using the standard variant of the DC-17m, using the rapid firing ability to decimate the Changeling ranks.

Blade quickly hopped down from his position, Smoker and Striker giving him covering fire, and sprinted towards the two leaders. This one wasn't stupid, and quickly flew away when the Commando started to fire his blaster. But allowed Blade to take up a position between him and the Changeling, quickly reloading his blaster. "Are you alright, Princess?" He asked, taking aim at the Lead Changeling.

"Y-Yes, just sunned." She answered, wide eyed at the Commando's heavy attire and look. "Who are you?"

"CC-6745, Clone Captain 'Blade', ma'am. Clone Commando of the Galactic Republic, formally, and leader of Zeta Squad." Both Smoker and Striker rushing over and taking positions on both sides of Blade, ready to fight. "We are here to help, ma'am."

The display angered the Lead Changeling, who pointed his sword at Blade. "Who are you to challenge the Changeling Swarm creature!?"

"Your death, if you do not surrender now, bug boy." Blade taunted, keeping his blaster trained on the Lead Changeling. "Stand down, now."

"I, General Vire, answer to no one but the Changeling Queen!" The Lead Changeling shouted, taking a combat stance. "I challenge you to a duel of honor, 'Captain Blade'!" However, his challenge had been met with laughter from Smoker and Striker, the two taking nonchalant stances. "What is so funny!?"

"Wow, did you not think there is a reason, as to why he is called 'Blade'?" Smoker asked, stepping back with Striker, the two helping Twilight to her feet. "You're in for a real treat, bug boy."

At that, Blade handed his DC-17m to Striker, who took it and quickly returned to the others. The Commando Squad Leader reached into his pack, and pulled out a twin sided vibroblade, which activated and extended out more with an electrified field around its keen edges. The blade started to glow a white-blue color, as he took a single handed stance with the twin sided weapon. "Blade is not only our Squad Leader, but also our CQC Specialist." Striker finished, the vibroblade's hum making Viro feel nervous.

"Your fancy weapons will not deter me, creature! I have defeated members of the Royal Guard's Solar and Lunar Guard! In the Queen's name…" Viro's wings began to buzz, before he shot forward, sword in both hands. "Die!"

Blade lowered his stance, narrowing both eyes at the Changeling. "And you never faced a Mandalorian trained Clone Commando." What happened next, only took a few seconds.

When Viro was too close to disengage, Blade quickly swung his vibroblade up and clashed with the Cangeling's sword. The vibroblade protective energy field sliced through Viro's forged chitin blade, melting through the metal. However, that was not the very end of Blade's attack, as he brought a knee up and slammed it into Viro's chest. It was painfully obvious that Viro had underestimated his opponent, in close combat, as he backed away breathless… But Blade did not care for allowing him to recuperate, time was against them, and brought his vibroblade back down.

Twilight flinched, as Viro had been split in half, down the middle. The other Commandos cheered at Blade's victory, as the Changelings began to retreat, morale broken by their leader's death and the Commandos' presence within the town. "Expert kill, sir! We can-?"

"Denied, Striker. Hunting those 'Changelings' will have to wait… There was a reason as to why we came here, in the first place." Blade faced Twilight, walking up to her and disengaging his vibroblade. "Princess, I know it is a lot to ask so quickly, but is there a gurney or litter we can use?"

Twilight's ears perked up, such a request could mean only one thing. "Is one of you hurt? If so, we can send some of our hospital's staff with you."

"Affirmative, Princess. Our little one is in critical condition, the squad's medic stayed with her while we came here." Blade answered, feeling the use of Mando'a would not help in translation.

It was understood perfectly, Twilight's eyes widening and a panicked look answered that. "Then we have no time to waste, follow me!" With that, the three followed Twilight, and four Royal Guards, into the Friendship Castle.

-Zeta Squad Camp, One Hour Later-

The three Commandos were practically dead sprinting to the camp sit, Smoker and Striker with a gurney; Twilight, four Royal Guards, Nurse Redheart, and Dr. Tender Care; right behind them! To the Clones, there was zero time to lose, far too much had already been wasted on finding available medical staff and equipment, then escorting them to the camp site. Now, they're camp came into view, seeing Doc kneeling next to Shav, but something felt off to Blade. Their medic had two fingers pressed against the right side of Shav's neck.

Doc slowly lowered his head, causing Blade's eyes to go wide. His next action became slow motion to the captain, as Doc unfolded his cloth and gently placed it over Shav's face. They were too late. The Republic Commandos, best of the best, had failed in their mission-… No, worse than that, they failed their ad'ika. Blade had failed the closest thing he'll ever have to a daughter! A pull within his heart nearly making him stumble over on to the ground, yet somehow kept his balance.

By this time, Doc had noticed his brothers were on their way back to camp. Though, when he saw the gurney and two medical personnel with them, Doc had lost it. "Damnit! Damnit it all to the dark void of space and into a damn black hole!" He ripped the helmet clean off, throwing it to the side, before punching his fist into the ground repeatedly.

This did not last very long, as Blade nearly tackled their medic and brought him to his feet, trying to calm Doc down… But Doc was not the only one to have a negative reaction to it all.

"Ad'ika! Ad'ika, your big Nera is back! Everything is going to be alright!" Striker yelled, releasing the gurney and sliding next to Shav's side. "We will get you to the hospital, where they can patch you up and-?" When he removed the cloth, denial gripping the sniper specialist's mind, he saw a peaceful look on Shav's face… Along with her paled skin. "A-Ad'ika?" Striker shook her arm a bit, thinking she was asleep. "Ad'ika, come on, wake up. No time for fooling around, we're here to get you some help."

"Come on, Striker… She's gone, brother." Smoker said, placing a hand on to his brother's shoulder. "There is… Nothing we can do."

"NO! She's just sleeping, ad'ika had a long day is all!" The, normally, stone-cold hunter was having a mental break, unable to comprehend their little sister's death. By this time, Doc had regained himself, and started t help Smoker restrain Striker so the medical personnel could confirm Doc's call. "No! She's not dead, Doc! She can't be, our ad'ika has a stronger will han all four of us! She can't be!" His words echoed around the camp, the Equesrians without words. But Twilight could not take her eyes off Blade, the lead Commando keeping his back to everyone at the camp. "AD'IKA!"